Nobody was shocked that Kikkan Randall and her coach at Alaska Pacific University, Erik Flora, were named the top cross-country skier and top international coach by the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association on Tuesday.
“Frankly,” said Tom Kelly, vice president of USSA, “it was a no-brainer.”
After all, they’re both repeat winners — though Flora was named top domestic coach last time. They both contributed to Randall’s historic silver medal performance at the Nordic World Championships in the Czech Republic this winter.
That medal was no doubt delicious. “We want medals, we all want medals,” acknowledged Kelly. “It’s a validation.”
But equally tasty, particularly for Flora, are the more subtle signs of the success and growth he’s nurtured at APU.
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