Former Cook County high school ski greats reunite on the Colorado ski slopes

Former Lutsen Ski Team members, Becky (Krueger) Falch (L), Dave Oswald and Cindy Nelson recently reunited after 53 years to ski slopes in Colorado. Photos courtesy of Becky (Krueger) Falch

In March of 1969, Cindy Nelson, Becky Krueger (Falch), and Dave Oswald headed to Mt. Alyeska, Alaska, to compete in the National Junior Alpine Ski Championships. Fifty-three years later, in February of 2022, they reconnected for the first time on the ski slopes of Vail and Copper Mountain in Colorado.

Cindy took third and Becky fourth place at the Junior National races in Mt. Alyeska, Alaska, when points were added up for their downhill, slalom and giant slalom races.

“Back-in-the-day,” Cindy, Becky, and Dave attended Cook County Schools, and they were members of the Lutsen Ski Team. All three started skiing and competing at a young age and were eventually coached by Heli Schaller, a famous Austrian ski racer. Various levels of competition in the Upper Midwest culminated each year with the hope of earning a selection on the National Junior Team representing the Central United States Ski Association. In addition to competing in 1969 at Mt. Alyeska, Alaska, Cindy and Becky also competed in the National Junior Ski Championships in 1967 at Stowe, Vermont and again in 1968 at Bridger Bowl, Montana. Additionally, Cindy and Dave competed together at the same 1970 championships at Park City, Utah. By this time, Cindy (at age 15) had caught the attention of the United States Ski Association coaches. She quickly became a dominant force on the U.S. Ski Team and had a legendary ski racing career from 1971 until she retired in 1985. She has been noted as America’s first great downhill ski racer, and she is among the best international ski racers ever. Her impressive career includes an Olympic bronze medal at the 1976 games, three World Championship medals, and six World Cup wins (with many more podium finishes).

Cindy Nelson and Dave Oswald at the 1969 National Junior Alpine Ski Championships at Mt. Alyeska, Alaska.

Dave Oswald was the Minnesota State High school slalom champion in 1969 and 1970. In 1969 the Cook County News-Herald reported, “Not since Barney Peet in 1965, have the Vikings had an individual champion.”

After graduating from high school, Dave attended Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, where he raced on the college alpine ski team, competing against other powerhouse Colorado college and university teams. Fort Lewis also participated in the NCAA Division 1 Alpine Ski Championships. While serving in the army and stationed in Germany, Dave raced on the army ski team. Following his time in the army, he raced on the Colorado Pro Ski Tour and the World Pro Ski Tour. In addition, Dave spent 30 years on ski patrol at the Purgatory Ski area.

Cindy Nelson (L) and Becky Krueger at the 1968 National Junior Championships at Bridger Bowl, Montana

Following her high school graduation, Becky attended Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado. During this time, college ski teams for women didn’t exist. Title IX legislation mandating equal athletic opportunities for women and men didn’t become law until 1972. After her college graduation, Becky served in the Peace Corps, with a teaching assignment on the island of Montserrat in the West Indies. Once she returned to Colorado, she continued a career of teaching. Becky has never stopped skiing, and Colorado has provided endless opportunities to pursue her passion for a true lifetime sport.