Endless winter: An Olympian's journal

by Luke Bodensteiner

Provides a clear and interesting insight into the international world of cross country ski-racing. Luke Bodensteiner, a two-time national champion, knows what it takes to prepare for international competition. The book is inspiring and enjoyable reading. I'd encourage anyone interested in cross country racing to read it. The book takes you on the road into training sessions and to the waxroom with the best cross country skiers in the U. S.

Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[Kristine · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a former collegiate skier, I really enjoyed being taken back to the obsessive-compulsive world of competitive skiing. Great insights into training philosophy. Intriguing look at the elite lever of cross-country skiing in the late 90's, though the US program has shown some definite improvement since then.

[Stuart Montgomery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Endless Winter tells the story of an American cross-country skier's preparation for the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway. It spans the period from May 1993 to February 1994.

The year takes him from Salt Lake to Oregon, then to Norway for summer skiing. Next comes a training camp in Michigan, then a spell in Utah. Then, in mid-October, he is off to Alaska for a month on snow. After that the racing season opens in the Alps and brings a rush of visits - to Austria's Tauplitz Alm, to Santa Caterina in Italy, to Davos in Switzerland and to Dobbiaco in the Dolomites.

On 1 January he flies again to Alaska, for races that will determine team selection. Victory in two races assures his place in the Olympic team. By now the countdown to the Games is well under way and he is soon on his way to Lillehammer for his big moment.

Endless Winter is a good story. It's well told, and it is laced with interesting snippets of skiing lore, along with gossipy suggestions of intrigue and infighting (and worse) in the racing establishment, and with delightfully barbed attacks on sports journalists, who are described variously as obnoxious, drunken and moronic. The book will appeal most to people who have already done some cross-country skiing.

[Gus · Rating 3 out of 5]

not as good as chasing the olympic dream by vordenberg, but gives insight into the daily life of a ski racer. I am going to have to write an honors thesis eventually, and I was thinking that I could do something like this and publish my training log. All I would have to do is pass it off with an honors advisor.

[Colin Delaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're a nordic ski racer, you'll probably enjoy reading this book.