Skinnyski Race Team: Michelle Meets Bjorn
 Skinnyski meets Bjorn! |
 Bjorn and Katie |
 Me with Bjorn's signature beneath Skinnyski.com |
 Bjorn receiving his Tansey handmade clock |
 Bjorn Daehlie's father |
So, I'm now determined to help Dr. Duncan and Katie in their efforts. I started my fundraising efforts in December, shortly after I met Katie. I felt compelled to help this elite wave skier I felt a connection with. I never knew how rewarding it would be! Yes, it's a hassle to ask for money and constantly remind those who promised, but it was worth it. I collected as much money as I could, with enthusiasm of Ian and Katie keeping my motivation high.
Now, it's close to the deadline, and I haven't reached my fundraising goal, but I am close. On the way home from work Tuesday night, I retrieve my cell phone messages to learn that I have been one of the lucky chosen to meet and ski with Bjorn Daehlie! "No Way!", I think. He doesn't really want to ski with some schlepper American chick, and now I'm nervous about it. And, I haven't met my fundraising goal! Not to mention, I'm tired from a long day at the hospital, with two more looming in front of me, skis to wax, food to prepare ... yadayada. How am I ever going to have the energy to meet and ski with him and the other 24 people that were chosen?! Nope. Not going to do it. I mention it to my husband, Mike, and he informs me that I don't have a choice. Get your head out of your butt and think about this opportunity! OK, so out comes my head, and you're right -- once in a lifetime opportunity! I call to confirm my reservation and I'm set. Meet at the North End warming building at 10:30 a.m. Thursday for a 5-6K ski and lunch afterwards at the River's Eatery.
Thursday morning arrives, and I'm excited. It was cold and I was rummaging around, daydreaming, fiddling with things to wear, and not paying attention to the clock. We drove to the North End Warming cabin, just in time to see the last group photo with Bjorn Daehlie. UUUGGGHHH! I missed it! I was 10 minutes late, but the nice woman told me where they were skiing and to just "catch up" to them. I think, "catch up? To Bjorn Daehlie? Ya, right". That's not going to happen. "Oh well", I think, "I'll just ski around and meet him when they return". Mike follows behind with the camera in tow. It's a beautiful sunny day, so I just ski along dreamily, wondering what it will be like to meet him. What will I say? Will stick my ski boot in my mouth? Will he be nice, or will he be like a stuck-up rock star? Hmmm, I'm left pondering, all while trying to "catching up" to the most decorated cross country skier in the world. Lo and behold, I see a group ahead of me on the power lines and wonder if this is the 25 lucky chosen. I see a guy skiing slowly and ask him, "is this the M.S. Bjorn Daehlie ski?" "Yes", he replies, asking if I'm in the group and why am I late. OK, OK, gotta work on the clock issue, as I beat myself up. So, I ski along, and this guy comes quietly zipping past me up a hill with one pole plant, then dangles the poles off the back of his hips, not using them at all. He's skiing mighty fast, but looks like he's ready to take a nap, lazily planting his skis on the hill. He doesn't say anything, probably because he was going by too fast. I watch him go up the hill and wonder if that's Bjorn. He meets with the others already at the top of the hill, and I soon find out that this is indeed the group -- and that was Bjorn skiing by so fast!
Then, I see Ian Duncan, Terry Tansey, and Carolyn Senty at the top of the hill, and they wave in greeting. Whew, I think, these are my people! Ian introduces me to Bjorn and we all ski along, stopping to chat, take pictures and listen to Bjorn talk about racing and waxing. People ask lots of questions and he patiently answers every one, careful with his English. Sometimes he has to stop to find the right word, but Carolyn always helped out at exactly the right time. He is such a gentleman, very kind and soft-spoken. He's very patient, and not "rock-star"-like at all. I had been scheming on how to get him to sign my Birkie bib, but they weren't available for pick-up yet. I grabbed a sharpie pen from my car at the last minute and stuffed it in my pocket, thinking of having him sign something. Back at the warming cabin, I decided it was my SkinnySki.com jacket! Yup, gonna get that autograph. I had to drum up the nerve to ask, but he very graciously granted my wish. Others, seeing this, were following me around, asking for my pen. We all soon had signatures on various articles of clothing. And, he promised me a hat, since I missed the "hat hand out" at the beginning.
We all met at the River's Eatery in Cable for some wonderful pizza for lunch that they had donated. Bjorn was presented with a great clock, artfully made by Terry Tansey himself. I think he really liked that. He remembered that he promised me a hat, but he was so busy with photos and autographs, he didn't have time to run to the vehicle to get a hat. So he just reached in his pocket and pulled out the hat he had been wearing for our ski tour and asked if that one would be alright!! "Alright?", I think, amazed? The one you were wearing and got all full of Olympic athlete sweat? Alright? Geez, I guess so" as I snatch it out of his hand. It was on my head so fast you never saw it move! I thought, I'm soooo wearing this in the Birkie - Ha! I can't contain myself, so I give him a hug as he laughs and strolls away with Teddy Bear Ned Zuelsdorf for more pictures.
That was one of those "once in a lifetime experiences", and I'm so happy I did it :) My SkinnySki jacket got even more special today.
Hope you like this story, and if you're so compelled. you can donate to your skier of choice online -- it's not too late! Let's hear it for Katie, Ian Duncan and Bjorn Daehlie and the M.S. Society of Wisconsin!! Happy Birkie!!
The Skinnyski.com Race Team is sponsored and outfitted by: |  |