At the May 8 Spring Meeting, Kristin Cooper, Susan Gallagher, and Brian Turany were named the 2023 Klister Klub Award recipients. Kristin and Brian are pictured above just after they received their jackets. Susan Gallagher was notified by text as she was in France traveling!
The Klister Klub Award was officially established by the Board in 2005 and is given to up to 3 members each year–An award of great distinction to acknowledge those that have continuously given or dedicated a great effort to our sport of Nordic Skiing.
We are very proud of the three Madnorski members honored this year with the Klister Klub award! Enjoy reading about their contributions to the club and to our community of skiers. Cheers!!
Kristin Cooper has served on the board for over 10 years and has chaired the Adult Lesson Program for the club. Three years ago at the start of COVID, skiers were more concerned about large group activities, so Kristin made adjustments in the lessons program starting a Ski Mentorship Program that offered a way for new skiers to get comfortable with xc skiing by pairing them an experienced club member skier. Since Kristin started this mentorship program, it has been extremely popular with lots of positive feedback both from our mentees and mentors. In addition, this past year Madnorski adult lessons began including winter specialized clinics, and summer rollerski “try it” lessons for club members. Kristin’s leadership and her interest in continuing to develop programs for adult members is so appreciated and leads to our club getting better and better!
Susan Gallagher has a long history with the club having served on the board as social chair in the 1980’s when our club was in its early days. Susan who has been a stalwart member and supporter over the years recently began coaching the newly formed Trail Women group. This past winter was the Trail Women’s second year and for both years Susan took the initiative to start up a Fall Women’s training group meeting at Elver Park for dryland training every weekend during the fall months. Sue’s involvement with the Trail Women has really energized the group. Susan brings terrific energy, knowledgeable training as a personal coach, a contagious passion for skiing and being outdoors, and a coaching approach that welcomes all ability levels and yet challenges each of the participants where they happen to be in their training. Thank you Susan for being a pillar for promoting women’s participation in Nordic Skiing and getting fit! (Susan is also the mom of Kristin Cooper!)
Brian Turany has been on the board as Treasurer and just completed his first year as Grooming Chair. Brian LOVES everything about grooming and has been eager to work under the tutelage of Master Groomer Dick Steinle. Brian in his role as grooming chair, attends meetings with the city to coordinate and discuss grooming at Elver, works with groomers and trail maintenance teams to improve grooming conditions at Elver Park, and stays abreast of grooming information & collaboration with CXC Trails and McCarthy park. This past year, Brian helped lead a Groomer’s conference at Elver Park that invited groomers from area parks including Madison City Parks, Dane County Parks, and Blackhawk Ski Club. Grooming is a complex art where the groomer needs to consider many factors to know how to make the best trails with a set of particular snow conditions with the equipment they have. The conference allowed groomer’s share their experience, give tips, and go over what kind of equipment they have found works for their trails. Thank you Brian for your dedication to this complex art and for your passion for getting out there on the sled at 4 am to make trails for our community!
