Bill Koch skiing competition for kids comes to Craftsbury

CRAFTSBURY, Vt. (WCAX) - The Bill Koch Competition took place in Craftsbury Sunday. Kids from kindergarten to eighth grade came from all over New England to race on cross-country skis in the New England Bill Koch Youth Ski League event.

Bill Koch is an Olympic silver medalist and was the first American to win an Olympic medal in cross-country skiing. The competition takes place every year on the first weekend of March. This year, it was in Koch’s home state.

There were awards for the top 20 racers in each heat and participants say it’s exciting to be a team player.

“It’s kind of a lot of pressure, before you start, it’s a lot of pressure but then when you’re going it just feels really good,” said Stella Cusack, a sixth grader.

“When there’s someone behind you it feels like you have to go really fast, it’s fun,” said Ada and sibling Hollis Allen.

“The ski community, everyone is so nice, like even if you’re on a different team, even if you beat someone else, everyone brings each other up,” said eighth-grader Leigh Niedeck, who won a silver medal on Sunday.

If your child would like to join, there are teams all over Vermont. Click here for more information.

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