Libby Ludlow, Interlake, Class of 2000

[patchdoggydogg]

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/h ... ack01.html

[rainbowgirl28]

Flashback | Pole-vault pioneer hit new heights as skier
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PEDRO PEREZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Libby Ludlow won a pole-vault state title as a sophomore at Interlake.
Athlete: Libby Ludlow, Interlake, Class of 2000

Sports: Soccer, track and field

High-school rewind: Three-year letter winner and all-conference midfielder in soccer until ski-racing knee injury kept her from playing as a senior. In track and field, was a pioneer in girls pole vaulting, which was not a sanctioned sport until her senior year. As a freshman, tied state record of 11 feet. Won state title as a sophomore when it was an exhibition sport, and was second as a senior. Named to U.S. Ski Team at age 16.

After high school: Despite serious knee injuries, including torn ACLs in both knees, Ludlow has enjoyed nine seasons on the U.S. Team. She won a U.S. title in giant slalom in 2004, had three top-10 finishes in Super G on the World Cup circuit in 2006, helping clinch a spot on the 2006 Olympic team. She finished ninth in the Super G in this year's World Championships in Sweden.

At the end of each ski season, Ludlow attends classes at Dartmouth during spring quarter. She is a sophomore at the Ivy League school and plans to graduate in 2010.

Personal: Ludlow, 25 and single, splits time between the Seattle area, Hanover, N.H., and Europe.

Fast forward: Ludlow takes pride in seeing the growth of girls pole vaulting. Her state record has since been bested by almost two feet.

"I'm a big proponent for women's sports, so I feel proud to have paved the way a little bit for future vaulters," she said.

Involvement in other sports has been crucial to her ski-racing success.

"Being adaptable is the most important thing for a ski racer," she said.

Ludlow plans to ski through the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver/Whistler, then retire.

"Competing in Vancouver is such a huge dream of mine," said Ludlow, who has arthritis in her right knee. "With all my body has been through, I might be able to keep skiing after that, but I want to someday be able to teach my kids to ski one day, so I figure I'd better save my body."

John Boyle

Great article Libby did a lot to advance the sport in this state.

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.skiracing.com/index.php?opti ... 2&Itemid=2

A fine balance: Juggling fall sports with ski training
By Bryce Hubner
Thursday, 15 November 2007

THE NOVEMBER issue of Ski Racing magazine includes an article in the Parenting department that offers opinions on how parents of young ski racers â€â€

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.thenewstribune.com/soundlife ... 89045.html

Crystal clear focus: Skier Libby Ludlow hopes to return for 2010 Olympics
Only injuries have ever slowed Libby Ludlow, an Olympian who launched her career from Crystal Mountain. She’ll race in the Whistler World Cup this weekend and hopes to return for the 2010 Olympics
CRAIG HILL; craig.hill@thenewstribune.com
Published: February 21st, 2008 01:00 AM | Updated: February 21st, 2008 07:06 AM
John Ludlow still remembers the first day he took his daughter to race at Crystal Mountain. As they rode the Quicksilver chairlift up the mountain, he had an uneasy feeling as other 6-year-old kids streaked under the chair.
“They were these young bullets,â€