Anders is at home on the slopes, whether it is Lutsen Mountain where he learned to ski at age 4, or at Loch Lomond, Ontario.
Each year for the last several years during Alpine racing season, the Cook County News-Herald has provided news on Anders Zimmer, a United States Skiing Association (USSA) racer. This winter, the young man who started skiing at Lutsen Mountains at age four was just too busy until season’s end. So this week, the News- Herald visited with Anders to see how the 2010-2011 season went for him. So how was the season? “Good,” replied Anders with a big grin.
His slalom and giant slalom (GS) season began with trips to Duluth one to three times per week for practice with the Team Duluth. The season kicked off in earnest with travel to Indianhead Mountain Resort in Michigan; Loch Lomond Ski Area in Thunder Bay, Canada; and Steamboat Ski Resort in Colorado; as well as Welch Village in Red Wing, MN; Spirit Mountain in Duluth; and his “home” course, Lutsen Mountains.
Anders Zimmer, 15, of Grand Marais had another exciting season with Team Duluth and the United States Skiing Association (USA). He is pictured above at Loch Lomond, Ontario with his third place medal in the slalom event. Anders was the top United States finisher in the International Ski Federation (FIS) race.
At the end of the 2009 – 2010 season, Anders suffered a knee injury and there was some concern that could interfere with, or even end, his racing career. Asked how his knee feels, he said, “Better.” He said he didn’t think the injury slowed him down any.
It didn’t seem to bother him as his collection of awards continued to grow this year. His dad, Jason Zimmer, said they were especially proud of Anders’ International Ski Federation (FIS) win at Loch Lomond where he earned third place in slalom, the top finish for the United States.
Jason said in FIS the minimum age is 15—Anders is 15—and there is no maximum age, so Anders is racing skiers with much more experience.
And, the FIS pits Anders against skiers from all over the United States, as well as from around the world. “It was amazing to look at the scoreboard and see Anders up there, representing the United States,” said Jason.
Another memorable event was the NorAm competition at Steamboat in Colorado, with 130 racers. Anders finished 47th in that competition, which Jason said is “like a World Cup event.”
Another highlight of the season was meeting and skiing the same hills as some of the U.S. Ski Team members in Colorado.
Asked what the hardest part of racing is, Anders said probably keeping up with his homework. He expressed appreciation to his teachers for working around his schedule, but he still gives up a lot of free time and study halls to make up for time on the hills.
Is he sorry the season is over? Anders said, “I’m a little sad, which happens every year. But I’m looking forward to fishing.”
In addition to fishing for fun, he had been working with commercial fisherman Harley Toftey to raise money for continued training and racing. He hopes to attend a summer camp with the U.S. Development Team the first week in September in Portilla, Chile, in the Andes Mountains. “That is really intense,” said Anders. “It’s six to eight hours on the snow every day.”
It is also very expensive, added his dad. “He got invited, but it’s $5,000 to go. So, we are gearing up for next year,” said Jason.
The family expressed appreciation to all of Anders’ racing fans and sponsors, including Mike LaVigne and Grand Marais State Bank and Ski Hut.
Anyone wishing to contribute may do so at a special account set up at the Grand Marais State Bank. For more information, contact the bank at (218) 387-2441 or the Zimmer family at (218) 387-9722.
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