‘It’s not about winning’

Published 9:56 am Monday, January 17, 2011

Steve Williams waxes the skies of his granddaughter Madeline Schoenstedt, 3, while she is supported by grandma Bonnie Williams and aunt Katie Wiliams during the beginners/kids race of the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center cross country ski race Saturday. -- Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

Beginners enjoy one-mile ski race

A large fan club cheered on Madeline Schoenstedt Saturday, even though she had little chance of winning the youth ski race.

The 3-year-old was the youngest participant in the beginner’s leg of the cross country ski race at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center.

“She’s decided she likes it,” said her grandmother, Bonnie Williams.

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Despite stumbling multiple times — and quickly being helped up by family — Madeline raced alongside her dad Chris.

Saturday wasn’t the first time Madeline had skied. Madeline skied last year and she “waddled around,” according to her mother, Heather Williams.

“This year she’s gotten a little more of the hang of it,” she said.

Heather didn’t know how much her daughter would complete of the mile long race, but she said she just hoped her daughter enjoyed herself.

“We just want her to have fun with it for now, and as she gets older maybe it will be something she gets interested in,” she said.

Skiing is a family affair for Madeline, as her grandfather, Steve Williams, raced later in the day.

“We grew up skiing at the Nature Center here, so it’s kind of a family thing,” Heather said.

Skiing is also a family affair for the Bachmeiers. Sarah Bachmeier, 10, first started cross country skiing because her brother, Ben, skis. He also raced Saturday.

“After we’ve been out a few times this year, we’re kind of thinking we maybe may need to buy a few more pairs of skis because it really is a nice family thing to do,” said Sarah’s mother, Mona.

Mona described skiing as a peaceful way to exercise in the winter. Mona said her daughter just wanted to finish the race and have a good time.

“It’s not about winning or anything, it’s an experience,” she said.

Like Sarah, Wren Clinefelter’s goal was to complete the race. Julie Clinefelter said her 8-year-old daughter started skiing last year and picked it up again this year. This was the first time she’d competed.

“She really likes it,” Julie said. “She took right to it. She likes to come out, and doesn’t seem to mind the cold too much.”

Nathan Kestner, 11, finished second in the beginner’s after only skiing about three times last year. He was introduced to the sport on a field trip with his fifth-grade class.

The race was his first time skiing this winter. Kestner also enjoys soccer and plays the violin.

“It’s kind of like running, but skiing you can glide,” Kevin said. “Running you kind of get like a bouncy impact, and I don’t really like that. It’s like gliding. And you can go pretty fast, too.”

Clyde Carver, 12, started cross country skiing this winter with friends. Clyde is a cross country runner, and he said he enjoys the combination.

His father, Mark, skied when he was younger and took up skiing again as an activity to do with his son.

“My goal is to keep with him,” Mark said.

Though he admitted his conditioning isn’t where he’d want it, he said starting again is just like riding a bicycle.

Mark does the bike race each year.

“I just encourage the kids to do it,” he said. “Get out and enjoy the winter instead of sitting inside playing video games.”

Brothers Kyle and Kevin Dammen started the race soon after they started cross country skiing three years ago because there were few ski races in the area.

Along with the 1-mile beginners race, there was also an 8-kilometer classic race and a 13-kilometer freestyle.