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| Floating toward the top. Snowshoeing closes in on universal acceptance. By Ryan Alford One straight-ahead statistic tells the whole story: Snowshoeing is the fastest growing sport in the United States. The United States Snowshoe Association (USSSA because USSA was already taken by swimmers) has something to do with that. It sponsors a whole lot of races, and turnout has been strong. The organization is based in Corinth, New York, but it reaches out across the land. USSSA will sponsor races wherever willing racers and snow occupy the same real estate. For the `05-`06 racing season, and prior to sponsoring the championship race in Bolton Valley, Vermont, the USSSA will host at least twenty-five events in snow states from Alaska to Upstate New York. “We’re still trying to educate the public on the benefits of snowshoe racing,” says USSSA Sports Director Mark Elmore. The message seems to be getting out. “We’ve got a lot of races, and many of them pull in hundreds of participants. Our National Championship program is attracting more participants every year.”
“Snowshoe racing is an extension of trail running,” says Ed Alibozek, the club’s Race Director. “We are starting to see a lot of triathletes, cyclists, trail runners, adventure racers, and many others that want to continue their athletic regimen during the winter. Snowshoe racing brings together all kinds of participants.” The pull of such U.S.-based organizations, in fact, has gone global. “The USSSA travels to Italy for the Ciaspolada snowshoe race, which has 6000 to 7000 participants,” Elmore reports. “This is an event that has been going on for the past thirty years. In some of the major events in Europe, there are athletes from Australia, New Zealand, England, Wales, Russia, Morocco, Poland, Czech Republic, Kenya, Spain, and many others.” The worldwide interest has created some Olympic buzz, and some common cause. In recent years, snowshoeing clubs have done much to further the sport’s acceptance. Many prospective Olympic events have not made it past the exhibition stage, of course. Elmore is aware of this, and of the long way to go. An aspiring sport must have forty official governing bodies in forty different countries to make a legitimate bid. And even if that comes to pass, there is a larger obstacle: the Winter Olympics has all the sports it can handle. One will have to be dropped (curling?) to make way for snowshoe racing. Still, there are smaller steps in the meantime. “International snowshoe racing is a long way from meeting the requirements for Olympic entry,” Elmore says. “We’re not quite there, but that doesn’t mean that demonstrations and exhibitions can’t be held.” Not at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Turin, Italy, however. When approached, the IOC did not seriously consider the idea (probably because it has its hands full already). Snowshoe racing proponents have turned to the 2010 Games in Vancouver, British Columbia. The goal is modest, but reaching it will be a huge leap for the sport. “We are now focusing on the 2010 Olympics to provide a demonstration snowshoe race,” says Elmore. “Snowshoe racing definitely has potential for becoming an Olympic sport.” Getting the sporting public and the IOC to understand why remains the long-term challenge. Story by Ryan Alford <<< Back to Cardio King...||...<<< Back to Feeding the Fire .
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Sleek new gear, more affordable than ever, is part of the story. So is the unstoppable discovery of the sport’s many rewards. The USSSA is not the only body to register the upsurge. The Western Massachusetts Athletic Club can barely keep track of new sign-ups. 
