EDITOR'S LETTER
The remaking of Silent Sports
and this skier
BY JOEL PATENAUDE The stars aligned and the snow fell just in time to create a near perfect 2005 American Birkebeiner. Spectacular trail conditions and ideal temperatures produced
fast times and wonderful experiences for so many skiers, including myself.
I can hardly claim to have deserved such a gift, however. I have met many more dedicated and longer suffering skiers to whom a Birkie this good was owed. But I'm selfish enough to take that glorious day of skiing as a sign; proof that hard work plotting a new course is occasionally rewarded.
For those of you who are both long-in-the-tooth skiers and loyal readers of this magazine, you may recall I took
the position of editor mere weeks before the 2004 Birkie. I announced my arrival by admitting that ski racing was new to me, although back-country trail blazing was not.
I attended last year's Birkie as a mere spectator and humble successor to a full participant. At that time, Greg Marr was aptly honored for his dedication to the sport's capstone event by the way he wrote of it in Silent Sports and skied it from the middle of the pack for many years.
A year ago I admitted having
reservations about trying to fill the founder's "ski boots." But I've done so and proceeded gingerly, testing the grip and glide before assuming too much momentum.
I'm referring of course to both my learn-as-I-go efforts to edit Silent Sports and become a better skier. I have embarked on both adventures with a modest amount of experience, patience and a realistic acceptance of my abilities. Both endeavors have become labors of love.
I count at least two accomplishments
since my arrival: I haven't killed off Marr's magazine and I've completed Phase 2 of my multi-year Birkie immersion plan. This year I classic skied the Kortelopet. Now I'm looking forward to earning Main Street finishes by striding the full Birkie next year and skating it sometime thereafter.
In the run up to this year's Birkie, I fell in love with Nordic skiing all over again. My relationship with the sport blossomed from adolescent puppy love to a more mature form of devotion. And I
can see our future together: My infatuation and respect will only grow as I learn new technique and get over my wax phobia.
This is now possible in large part because I no longer "ski alone." Through this magazine, I'm now connected to a community of skiers (and runners and bikers and paddlers) whose knowledge is deep and accessible and their enthusiasm contagious.
In return for all the advice and inspiration, I'd like to make a contribution. I want to provide a
magazine that increases interest in self-powered, aerobic outdoor recreation. To that end, I hope to unveil a "new and improved" Silent Sports in time for the 21st anniversary issue this July. The extent of the much overdue redesign from the cover to the calendar pages will largely be an update in style and organization.
But don't get your hopes (or dander) up that I intend to turn this monthly into a copycat of Outside magazine or follow in the footsteps of Runner's World.
(Remember what I said earlier about accepting what's within my abilities.)
I recently informed my regular contributors of the brewing redesign and assured them that I would carry on "Marr's vision for this publication: to celebrate the citizen silent sportster, nonmotorized athleticism and health and the natural resources of the upper Midwest. Silent Sports will remain a nonslick, home-grown resource, chockful of recreational advice and travel tips and first-person accounts."
To reconnect with the magazine's roots, I mentioned wanting to bring back the "Athlete of the Month" feature, but expand the concept to include not only unheralded athletes but also exceptional event organizers and silent sports resource advocates. Nominees are already coming in. If you have someone in mind you think ought to be profiled, let me know. Write up a short article about the individual's accomplishments and/or contributions and e-mail it to me at info@silentsports.net. I'll come up with a little something a token, if you will of our esteem for our monthly honorees.
I hope by now I have convinced you, dear readers, that I am the "true believer" in Silent Sports I claimed to be a year ago. Now I ask for your trust as I remake the magazine.
Once you see it, I hope you will respond with candor and offer constructive criticism.
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