PRESS RELEASE FOR “MOMENTUM”
There’s a new book out this winter about the cross country ski scene. “Momentum: Chasing the Olympic Dream” puts you inside the world of Olympic xc ski racing. It’s the memoir of Pete Vordenberg. This book, Vordenberg’s first, is so well-written that it’s the most interesting picture to date on what it’s like to ski — and live — really fast.
Vordenberg is a two-time Olympian (’92 & ’94), National Champion, and a current US Ski Team Coach.
About his book, Vordenberg says:
“On television each Olympic life begins and ends between commercial breaks. But at the edge of the screen there is another figure. When the camera zooms out you can see him, almost too small to recognize. This is the story of the figure at the edge of your screen.
“This story is a voyage following the pursuit of my dream to win an Olympic gold medal. It is not a retelling of the little engine that could. Rather, it is about why the little engine even tried.”
Olympic xc ski racing is a world where Americans make their stand with very little support, for a very long time. Against such odds, as Vordenberg lets us discover, you don’t get anywhere without your friends, family and coaches. In Momentum we see quality relationships like we know sports can show us.
Is it worth it? Only one American has ever medaled in cross country skiing and none have come close in decades. A good indicator that Vordenberg knew what he was up to is given by his intro quote from Don Quixote, whose author knew the value of attempting the impossible.
Bob Woodward, legendary ski journalist, says “The marvel of Vordenberg’s book is that it appeals to the non-skier as well as to ski racers past and present. Healthy doses of self-revelation, touches of On The Road, and remarkable insights make this a unique book. It’s supposedly about skiing — but it’s more about life and seizing it.”
Momentum is published by Out Your Backdoor Press. Visit OutYourBackdoor.com to learn more about it and read chapter excerpts. Order online for $17.95 (plus $2.05 ship/hdlg) or mail to: OYB, 4686 Meridian Rd., Williamston MI 48895. Available at select bookstores, sport shops and major online booksellers.
High resolution images suitable for print are ready for download at: http://outyourbackdoor .com/books/book.xc/press.kit.xc.html. Contact publisher Jeff Potter at jp@outyourbackdoor.com for more info.
