Outside Magazine Ranks Andy Newell Among Top 100 Most Important

FasterSkier · November 8, 2006

PARK CITY, Utah (Nov. 7) – While he's training in Sweden for the next cross country World Cup races, Olympian Andy Newell (Shaftsbury, VT) – whose podium finish last March in China was the first by an American in World Cup racing since Bill Koch in 1983 – is being celebrated by Outside Magazine for his historic result.

Andy Newell sprints to 3rd in China for the best American finish on the World Cup since 1983 (credit: AP)

Its December issue salutes “The Outside 100,” subtitled “The Year's Most Important People, Ideas, Trends and Gear.” Newell comes in at No. 55 with a brief mention of his accomplishment plus a two-page photo spread of him in catching air out of a superpipe at Mammoth Mountain, CA.

Newell, who turns 23 on Nov. 30, finished third March 15 in Changchung, China, in a freestyle technique sprint race, the first World Cup race in the nation's most populous nation. He has posted top-10 results in three straight sprints – including eighth to open the 2007 season Oct. 28 in Germany, the first time an American has accomplished that feat.

The magazine said simply, “In March, skinny-ski star Andy Newell became the first American in 23 years to bring home a World Cup medal in nordic skiing.” The two-page photo runs on Pages 148-149.

“It's a great tribute to what Andy's accomplished, not just in China but in helping re-energize the Ski Team,” said Head Coach Pete Vordenberg. “It's very satisfying to see Andy recognized outside of just the sports media.”

In addition, Olympic halfpipe medalist Shaun White (Carlsbad, CA) is No. 40. In a separate story, Outside interviewed Olympic (1984) and World Cup (1981-83) alpine champion Phil Mahre, who – at 49 – is attempting to qualify for the 2007 U.S. Alpine Championships next March.

It's an idiosyncratic list, starting with Lance Armstrong at No. 1 and centenarian Dr. Edgar Wayburn, five-time Sierra Club president, at No. 100. In between, Outside salutes 28 individuals and a boatload of interesting concepts, trends and equipment (e.g., trans-fat-free Oreo cookies, a sail-assisted freighter designed in Germany and the reopening of Mount St. Helens for climbing).

Source: USSA