For The Win

Gifts to the Dartmouth College Fund help make great things happen for our students. Here is one of their stories.

Five-time All-American and 2014 Olympic cross-country skier SOPHIE CALDWELL ’12 added another honor to her long list of accomplishments: World Cup champion. In January 2016, Sophie won the classic sprint in the Tour de Ski, only the second American woman ever to win a World Cup race.

Skiing is in her genes. My grandfather and uncle were both Olympic cross-country skiers, my mom was a racer, my dad is a ski coach, my siblings both skied, and our house is right next to a cross-country ski area in southern Vermont. I learned to ski at the same time I learned to walk.

On motivation. When I was young, I thought the Olympians I met walked on water. Knowing that now I am an Olympic role model for kids to look up to is one of the most motivating things about my job.

The Dartmouth effect. I wasn’t ready to ski race full time after high school. I skied all four years at Dartmouth, and loved the school, my ski team, and all the people I met while there. Those four years helped prepare me for life on the professional circuit.

Future career: It’s elementary. I will probably keep skiing through the 2018 Olympics as long as it’s still making me happy. I also love working with kids, and I enjoy education. Third grade was my favorite in elementary school, so maybe being a third grade teacher is my future calling!