In 1970 she earned a spot on the first women’s U.S. cross-country ski team and competed for the U.S. in the 1970 and 1974 Nordic Skiing World Championships and the 1972 Winter Olympics in Sapporo, Japan—the first with women’s cross-country events. During the winter she cross-country skis every day there’s snow, alternating between classic and skating techniques, at local Nordic courses. Photo: Oliver Parini for The Wall Street JournalThe Case for Cross-Country Skiing The low-impact nature of cross-country skiing makes it a better sport for some aging athletes than running or tennis. And while most sports move indoors during winter, Nordic skiing allows people to stay active outside. Downing, president of the World Masters Cross-Country Ski Association in Bend, Ore.Write to Jen Murphy at workout@wsj.com

Source: Wall Street Journal January 28, 2017 12:00 UTC