Tag Archives: cross country skiing

A Tribute to Torin Koos

Brittany By on

Leavenworth Olympian deserves recognition – and so does his community By Rep. Brad Hawkins The Washington State House of Representatives occasionally takes time during its course of business – drafting budgets and passing laws – to recognize people, groups and events that are significant and worthy of statewide credit. Torin Koos, Leavenworth’s own Olympic athlete, is more than deserving of such recognition. Last week, I was honored to sponsor a House resolution to recognize his accomplishments. Competing in his fourth Olympic Games this year in Sochi, Russia, Torin did our state and country proud. The second-oldest member of the 14-person skiing team, Torin tied for 37th out of 85 racers in the qualification race for the men’s sprint free event. Torin has proven himself an extraordinary athlete and remains the reigning U.S. national freestyle sprint champion, winning his eighth national Continue reading →

Torin Koos, National Cross-Country Champion

Brittany By on

photo credit: Toko USA USA Pears is a proud sponsor of Torin Koos, cross-country skier and Olympic hopeful from Leavenworth, WA. We caught up with Torin recently as he celebrated his recent freestyle sprint title on the slopes at Soldier Hollow, Utah. Torin’s training this season will hopefully earn him a spot on the 2014 U.S. Winter Olympics team, which would be his fourth Olympic appearance. Torin grew up among the pear orchards of the Wenatchee Valley, and he values both the beauty of his hometown and the healthy benefits of fresh USA Pears. Of his recent national title, he says, “I felt that as the day went on I got better and better. The qualifier was a little bit off, but every time I was like, ‘Okay, refocus and let’s do this. We’ve got Sochi coming up and I’ve Continue reading →

Congrats, Torin!

Brittany By on

USA Pears is a proud sponsor of cross-country skier and Olympian Torin Koos, and we’re thrilled to congratulate him on his recent successes at the 2013 U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships at Soldier Hollow in Midway, Utah. (Can you see his biggest fan perched atop the wall?) Koos took first place in the classic sprint on January 2 and first in the 30 kilometer classic race on January 4 — his first national title in a distance race, and his eighth U.S. National gold. He also took home sixth in the 15 kilometer skate race. Check out this interview to hear Torin’s thoughts on the sport of Nordic ski racing and his history on the slopes. Torin recently shared this fun video with us, filmed on the slopes in Leavenworth, Washington—right near the heart of pear country. Try out this fun Continue reading →