FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Six Minnesota Skiers Receive Awards at the 2025 Minnesota Nordic Ski Association Banquet

The Mora Vasaloppet Nordic Center was filled with skiers and ski fans on Sunday, April 6, at the Minnesota Nordic Ski Association’s (MNSA) Lifetime Achievement Awards Banquet.

Following a social hour with refreshments, Claire Wilson gave the keynote address. Claire shared highlights of her experience as the Executive Director of the Loppet Foundation, particularly the journey involved in bringing the world to Theodore Wirth Park for the 2024 Stifel Loppet Cup weekend. Although there were many challenges in hosting the first cross country ski World Cup event in the US since 2001, Claire delivered a clear and inspiring message that hope and resilience are the result of the joy that we share when we create community around the things that we love, especially Nordic skiing!

Neil King and Ben Croft were the very deserving recipients of the 2025 MNSA Lifetime Achievement Award. Both have dedicated their lives to the ski community, helping teams, clubs, and individual skiers. They have coached, groomed, waxed, and organized, improving the opportunities for all skiers in their respective towns of Park Rapids and Biwabik/Cloquet.

Annelise Baird of Brainerd and Eric Anderson of Lake City were recognized with the Minnesota Based Biathlon High Achievement Award. They each have had a very successful season in biathlon competition, qualifying to represent the USA at competitions in Poland, Sweden, and Germany.

Minnesota Master Skier Award winners, Patti Harvieux and Adrian Watt, both from Duluth, have raced at a high level for many years along with coaching and supporting Nordic skiing in their community.

The MNSA Ski Community Excellence Award went to the North Star Ski Touring Club. Arne Stefferud and Bob O’Hara accepted the award for the club, highlighting the 58-year history of the club and the many volunteers involved in planning ski trips and clinics, participating in trail preparation, and distributing grants.

The banquet wrapped up with a lively cake and social time, where many more ski stories were shared.