2008 Woodie Awards
Senior profile: Skier John Stene
Men's skier continues dominance, looks to repeat NCAA victory
Bryce Evans
Issue date: 2/20/07 Section: Sports
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"I am from Norway, and there most people do Nordic skiing," said Stene, a native of Trondheim, Norway. "My parents were really into it, and they just brought me out [skiing] every weekend. I've always been skiing, and I love it."
Stene began skiing when he could barely walk, and his love and competitive passion for the sport grew quickly from there.
"I have been Nordic skiing my whole life," Stene said. "I started competing when I was like 10 or 12 years old, not very serious at all, but it became more serious after I became 15 or 16."
From a young age, Stene had dreams of making it big in the Nordic skiing world, as he watched Norwegian legends bring glory to his country and inspire him to do the same.
"Of course Bjorn Barley, who won several Olympic gold medals, was someone I looked up to," Stene said. "Also, a guy named Thomas Almstrom. He was really good too, actually was the Olympic gold medalist in [the Salt Lake Olympics]. So, he has been one of my big idols."
It would seem obvious that growing up in a country of such rich tradition in the sport, Stene would begin the pursuit of his own glory at a very young age.
Once Stene began competing, he quickly made a name for himself as a very talented prospect. Stene competed in the 2000 Norwegian Cup in the 10 km skate event, finishing second overall. Then, as a member of the prestigious Norwegian ski team, Byasen IL, Stene took part in the 2004 Norwegian Championships in both the 30 km and Nordic relay events.
Despite his early success, it was clear to Stene that it would be very difficult to try to make it as a professional or Olympic skier in his highly competitive home country.
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