JUNE 15, 2001
"Ross Anderson, Cheyenne,
becomes "Fastest American on Skis."

Clocked at 130 mph, Ross Anderson, the "Fastest Native American on Skis," brought glory to all Native Americans and those rooting for them, becoming the "Fastest American on Skis" at the recent World Speed Championships in Les Arcs, France.

Durango-based Anderson came to Aspen to be celebrated by Aspen's fastest and photographed with Olympian Suzy Chaffee for a Sports Illustrated issue this July. Together with Steamboat's Billy Kidd and other sports legends and ski resort leaders, they are leading Native American Olympic Team Foundation's* historic reconciliation of Native Americans leading up the the 2002 Salt Lake Olympics. By inviting the Utes and other tribes back to their ancestral lands to share the joy of skiing and healing ceremonies, NVF and 5 major Colorado Resorts (Telluride, Durango, Steamboat, Vail and Aspen) have created a heart-warming program over the five years that is now gaining momentum across America.

"As America's first Native American Winter Sports Champion, Ross' victory for Native Youth bolsters our chances for every ski area to join America's unique reconciliation, like the uplifting Sidney Olympics," said NVF co-chairman Chaffee. "Besides the historic and spiritual significance, NVF's Pro-gram works because they're also fun," said Aspen's Vice Mayor Terry Paulson. Known to have Native heritage, Paulson was just reelected by a avalanche. "This is the best way I've seen to start a dialogue between our cultures," said Bjorn Dahl, Western Regional Forest Director.

NVF hosted the celebration for Ross, their Ambassador, at Jonas Weil's West End home. Despite the combined velocity of Ross' and his renowned Aspen buddies: John "Mad Cow" Hembel ("Fastest American" last year), Chris Wirkler ("World's Fastest Man over 40"), in addition to Doug Burden ("Fastest American in 1954"), and Chaffee ("Fastest in 1966-7"), no one at the party suffered a nose bleed! Sharing the taste of victory with a cake donated by City Market, was a noteworthy hot local skier, James Martinez, a descendent of Chipeta, beloved wife of Colorado's Ute Chief Ouray. Aspen attracts such swift company because Snowmass has the best speed course in the USA.

As the second fastest skier in the world, Ross has his sights on the 2006 Olympics when speed skiing becomes an official Olympic Sport. Ross' victory can be an important force this Olympic year, given that "Native Americans are the No 1 Draw" according to the Salt Lake Organizing Committee. A great role model who pioneered Durango Mt Resort's Native Ski Program, this Cheyenne-Araphaoe-Apache could lift our consciousness and become a hero to a new generation of Americans, much like Cathy Freeman, the Aborigine, did for Australians at the Sidney Games.

Anyone wanting more info or wishing to participate in this national reconciliation contact: Native American Olympic Team Foundation at: 970-927-5406 or log on to: www.nativevoices.org or www.rossanderson.org (great pics)

* Founded in 1996 by Olympic Skier, Aspenite Suzy Chaffee, and Colorado's Ute Unity leader, Alden Naranjo, Native American Olympic Team Foundation (NVF) pioneered the program that has taught over 1,000 Natives to "fly like eagles" on skis. NVF has united the most influential leaders of American tribes, ski areas, press and sports legends, like Olympians, Billy Kidd, Steve Mahre, Bill Bradley and Phil Jackson. Together they are fulfilling their mission of "creating joyful unity through sports to heal Mother Earth for our children," NVF's "Olympic Chief" is Brian Wallace, Chairman of the Washoe Tribe of California and Nevada, who has a model ski program in Lake Tahoe. NVF is a 501C3 Colorado non-profit organization.