El Salvador Makes Nordic Debut in Gaalaa

An associate member of FIS since 1998 with only one alpine skier in 2007-2008, El Salvador is now making its mark on the Para Nordic world map. This initiative is spearheaded by the international non-profit organization ONETEAMCF.org through its El Salvadoran chapter ONETEAMSV.org, which has partnered with the El Salvadoran Olympic and Paralympic Committees to develop a dual-sport, dual-season national para-surf and para-ski team.

Two members of the newly established El Salvador Ski Federation, both sit-skiers, David Chavez and Jonathan Arias, competed for the first time in Para Nordic Skiing at the Continental Cup in Gaalaa (NOR) last weekend. Both athletes participated in the 1.2km Sprint competition, with David Chavez ranking 20th and Jonathan Arias 21st. Their coach, Rob Powers, explained, “It was their fifth day ever on snow!”

Despite the cold weather, David Chavez expressed appreciation for Norway, saying, “It was so cold, but, at the same time, so beautiful in Norway, both the landscape and people.” He praised Anne Kroken of the Norwegian Ski Federation for taking good care of them during their stay at the Olympic stadium training center in Lillehammer, which resembled their para-surf training center at home, with the only difference being that they rolled out to snow instead of ocean waves each morning. “It was fantastic!” said Chavez.

David, along with teammate Jonathan, managed to train for a total of 7 days during this inaugural venture into winter sports with their coach Rob Powers and his wife, Dr. Laila Powers, who founded the non-profit organization years ago with Olympian Sean Colgan of USA Rowing fame.

Jonathan, ranked 7th in the world in ISA Para Surfing’s unassisted prone category, expressed admiration for the Gaalaa Ski Club staff for their efforts to make the course as level as possible with limited early-season snow. “As 10.5 athletes, we really appreciate level courses, and the club worked as hard as they could to keep us from sliding off the racecourse sideways,” said Arias.

Mr. Salvador Salguero, Vice-President of the El Salvadoran Olympic Committee and President of the El Salvadorian Ski Federation, stated, “While the road to Cortina 26 will be long and steep for these two young victims of El Salvadoran gang violence, it is our goal to provide on-snow opportunities throughout the year ahead to allow both athletes eligibility to compete in the 24/25 FIS Para World Cup and World Championships sit-ski races.”