Not many nordic skiers find themselves coaching professionally at the age of 24. An even smaller percentage of those coaches are women. Here is a closer look at what drives one of the few: Bernie Nelson of the Bridger Ski Foundation in Bozeman, Mont.
A return to one’s roots can often lead to new opportunities. Such is the case with Kristina Trygstad-Saari, a Bozeman, Mont. native and Bridger Ski Foundation alumnus who has now taken the position as the ski club’s new elite and post-graduate coach for the 2014/2015 season.
The Bridger Ski Foundation announced Monday that it named Kristina Trygstad-Saari, one of its former elite athletes, head coach of its elite nordic team. Trygstad-Saari, 29, will take over day-to-day coaching and race travel while Dragan Danevski continues as BSF program director and head coach.