Interview: Roland Ring-Jarvi

After 25 seasons, Roland Ring-Jarvi of Elk River retired from coaching last spring. He talked with us about those years recently.

• Skinnyski: How did you get started skiing?

  Ring-Jarvi: My parents are both Finnish, and our winter weekends at Two Harbors were spent on skis. We skied for fun on wooden skis with leather toe straps. We also skied while hunting rabbits and grouse.

• Skinnyski: In 25 seasons, you saw lots of changes in skiing from those early days.

  Ring-Jarvi: Of course, the big change was from wood to fiberglass skis, but the switch from classic to skating was big too. I remember at first I had kids that I couldn't convince to take the kick wax off their skis when they skated, but later on all they wanted to do was skate.

• Skinnyski: You weren't always happy with the changeover to skating at the HS level?

  Ring-Jarvi: No I wasn't. As coaches, we lacked the total view of skiing we needed for several years. I really like the dual format racing we do now.

• Skinnyski: Have HS skiers gotten better over the years?

  Ring-Jarvi: I'd say so, given specialization, year-round training, better equipment and grooming. But I must also say that the good skiers of twenty years ago would be still be good today. I remember Brian Knutson as a high school racer, for example. He was really good skier then and would be today.

• Skinnyski: Speaking of specialization, several of your top racers have tried to compete at the national level, including trips overseas to compete. What are your views on that?

  Ring-Jarvi: It divides their loyalties, for sure. They want to compete at their highest level, but also want to compete with their friends at the HS level. It's a rare kid who can handle the stress of top-level training, travel, schoolwork and so on. It takes a toll on them. As a coach, you want them to reach their potential, but they do pay a price.

• Skinnyski: You're not coaching now, so how are you filling your time?

  Ring-Jarvi: Training more now than in the past 25 years, that's for sure. I'm also learning about grooming from Dave Anderson at our trails at Woodland Hills. I helped lay those trails out with Dave and some other people, and it gives me a nice change of perspective on grooming. Dave's a master.

• Skinnyski: Any standout memories from your coaching?

  Ring-Jarvi: Too many to list, but I know I always had a soft spot for the skiers who worked their tails off just to make All-Conference. They knew they might not get to State, but they worked hard all season anyway. Those are gratifying memories.

• Skinnyski: You've got some former skiers in the local coaching ranks now. That must be fun.

  Ring-Jarvi: It is. Denny Green is the new coach at Coon Rapids, Luke Winger is new at Blaine, and Sherie Swedal succeeded me at Elk River.

• Skinnyski: I know you're an endurance athlete, and I recall the now near-mythical Minn-Finn in 1980 when it was -26F at the scheduled start, so they waited until it was -17F to go.

  Ring-Jarvi: I remember that I had no glide at all for the Saturday 50K. That was work. Sunday was a little better. Audun Endestad won it.

• Skinnyski: What other events have you done?

  Ring-Jarvi: In 1995, I did the Swedish Vasalopet, the Norwegian Birkebeiner, the Finnish Finlandia and the Swiss Engadin, all in one month. We practically lived on the train. I had to rent boots for the Finlandia,because I'd left mine behind on race day.

• Skinnyski: What's next?

  Ring-Jarvi: I want to finish the World Loppet circuit. We also hope to do the Border To Border as a family. I've done it four times but we'd like to try it as a family with my wife Sue (who started to U of M Women's hockey program) and my son Ross, who's a hockey player at Anoka.

• Skinnyski: You mentioned a trip to the Olympics.

  Ring-Jarvi: Yes, some former skiers now involved in biathlon have an apartment at Soldier Hollow and have invited me out. Our first day there we'll see the 4X10 relays. I'm really looking forward to it.

• Skinnyski: Any regrets as you close out your coaching career?

  Ring-Jarvi: Not a one.

Dennis (Denny) Nelson coached at Coon Rapids High School for 18 seasons before retiring. He's still very active in the ski community, volunteering at Champlin Park and area races, and can usually be found in the Fall working out with the WAM-XC group. Denny has graciously offered to do a series of interviews for us with some of the legends in high school nordic coaching.