Haldor Reinholt isn't from around here. Within seconds of meeting the 81-year-old Lenox resident, one can tell that much.
However, spend a bit longer chatting with the life-long skier who just submitted an incredible two first-place finishes and one runner-up at the FIS World Criterium Masters Alpine competition, and you'll get a glimpse into quite a story.
Reinholt reached out to The Eagle last month at the behest of some friends who thought his accolades on the slopes deserved some ink. Regrettably, I wasn't around that first visit to meet the man and struggled to make heads or tails of the results from the U.S. Nationals up at Killington in February. Upon closer examination, Reinholt brought four national titles home from Vermont, and man is he fast.
In the 80-84 age range, he won the Super G, Alpine Combined, Giant Slalom and Slalom races, most by hefty margins. That performance qualified him to take on the world, literally, a couple weeks ago out at Big Sky in Montana.
"If you came and looked at this, you'd be impressed. There are many who come from national teams that have just decided to keep on racing," said Reinholt. "And I'm one of them. I like to do it. It helps me stay fit. I'm 81 years old, but it doesn't show up there on the hill."
This column can be read in its entirety on The Berkshire Eagle website, or reach out to me for a complete copy.