MEN Simon Ammann
INTERNATIONAL NORDIC SKIER OF THE YEAR
Simon Ammann of Switzerland virtually owned the ski jumping World
Cup season, coming up with the overall 2010 title while also becoming an Olympic superstar once again. For Ammann, the winter was
nothing short of fantastic; he celebrated nine World Cup wins, and was
never lower than 12th in any competition. The 28-year-old won a pair
of gold medals at Vancouver in the normal and large hill competitions,
and went on to win at Holmenkollen before wrapping up the season
with the win at the World Ski Flying Championships in Planica. Known
not only for his skill but also his tactics, he showed the world he was
without peer this season. And with his two Olympic gold medals from
2002, Ammann is amassing an enviable collection. His incredible skill
and confidence have given the entire world a new mark by which to
measure excellence.
MEN The Nordic Combined Olympic Relay Team
U.S. NORDIC SKIERS OF THE YEAR
The debate over this award went a little like this: Should it go
to Billy Demong for his first-ever gold medal in U.S. nordic
combined history? Or to Johnny Spillane, who took three silver
medals in combined at Whistler Olympic Park and in doing so
earned medals in all three combined competitions at a single
Games? Was it meant for five-time Olympian Todd Lodwick in
honor of his return and his high standards for excellence, pushing all the time? Or young Brett Camerota, who is beginning to
unveil his international potential?
Or perhaps...the foursome that gave us the stunning display of
individual accomplishment and teamwork at Whistler Olympic
Park? Following the relay, Demong said: “Today was a real team
effort….this day has just been a series of really good performances
by every member of our team, and I’m really happy to have won
our first ever medal in the team event.” And now, they can add the
award for Ski Racing nordic skiers of the year.
WOMEN Kikkan Randall
U.S. NORDIC SKIER OF THE YEAR
After Kikkan Randall’s sweep of U.S. national titles in January in
her hometown, the Alaskan native turned in impressive Olympic
performances, including an eighth in the classic sprints (the top
result ever in Olympic cross country skiing history for American
women) and 24th in the 30K. She also picked up her third career
podium in March when she skied to an amazing second place in a
sprint at Holmenkollen. Then she traveled to Maine for the Super-Tour and dominated all the races for women against a tough North
American field. Randall also took the National Championships in
the 30K at Fort Kent, Maine. Her winter was simply phenomenal.
