** Editors note: This will be a weekly column highlighting our ski coaches from around the country… including elite coaches, college coaches, high school coaches, volunteer coaches, and learn-to-ski coaches. This is an effort to sample a diverse group of coaches and recognize the people who are the backbone of today’s skiers. If you would like to nominate a coach for an interview, please email robertwhitney99@hotmail.com. Please give coach’s name, email, phone, and a small paragraph describing the nominee. The more diverse, the better.
Sverre, is Head Nordic Ski Coach at Stratton Mountain School (SMS) in Putney, Vermont. Age? That’s a mystery… but rumor has it that he’s young enough to read kids’ minds, yet old enough to tell them what to do.
Skiing background?
I was brought up skiing. We didn't race much until high school but we skied (goofed around) a lot. In high school we (family) were all 4 event skiers. We would practice alpine skiing and jumping one day, and then “specialize” in x-c (this meant 2-3 practices plus race days/week). I went to Dartmouth but didn't ski well there… sick one winter, bad back the next (I know, excuses….). So I started helping with coaching and loved it! The rest is history.
Wife, kids, family?
Married to Lilly; we have 3 kids…Sophie (16) and Austin and Isabel (14 year old twins). It's great, they are all at Stratton now so my travels include family.
You are part of the long, legendary lineage of the Caldwell family of Putney. For some of the younger readers, can you fill us in on Caldwell history? And how did your upbringing influence your decision to ski coach?
My up-bringing definitely influenced my decision to become a ski coach. My father was the USST coach while I was in grade school and there was a great “ski culture” in Putney. There were always good skiers around who were having fun skiing. My high school teammates included my brother Tim (4 time Olympian who first made the Olympic team as a 12th grader) and Bill Koch (hopefully people have heard of him). Skiing was cool and the skiers were heroes. Typical dinner time chat was about monster workouts or trips around the world to competitions. It was exciting and fun.
How long have you been at SMS?
I notice you didn't ask me how old I am. Soooo…..this is a trick question. But, I have been at Stratton since the fall of 1980!
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