5-time Overall FIS Masters Title Winner Dies at Age 77

Anne Nordhoy, 77, of Spring Township, Pennsylvania, passed away of natural causes on Feb. 28, 2018, while on vacation in Tampa, Florida, with her husband Frode.

Born on August 11, 1940 in Oslo, Norway, she was the daughter of the late Johan and Hildborg (Sundsli) Fjeldstad. Anne graduated from Oslo High School in Norway in 1958 and immigrated to the U.S. with her husband in 1960, where they shared a life together over the next 58 years.

Over the past four decades, Nordhoy became well-known within the skiing community as a top masters competitor. Though she didn’t start alpine skiing until her 40’s, through tireless training and commitment, Anne won the overall FIS Masters title in her age group five times, a record among women competing for the United States. She also garnered numerous U.S. Masters Championships and other awards. Posthumously, New England Masters Skiing, Inc. recently awarded Nordhoy its prestigious Tobin Award for her many contributions to masters skiing. She was an inspiration to many, always a graceful competitor, who commuted tirelessly to New England, South America and Europe from Pennsylvania to race.

Nordhoy served for numerous years as U.S. delegate to the FIS Masters Committee attending meetings around the globe. She also contributed articles to SkiRacing.com and to U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s publications on international masters topics during her tenure on the FIS Masters committee.

Nordhoy was known for her creativity and general passion for life. Her talent with knitting needles and sewing machine was legendary. She regularly outfitted family and friends with beautiful sweaters, scarves, gloves, hats, “onesies”, slippers and other assorted items including her daughter’s wedding dress. The well-traveled needles and yarn were regularly observed on the fields of her kids’ and grandchildren’s athletic events, and at exotic destinations around the world (Great Wall of China, Galapagos Islands, Africa, etc.). She was even known to knit calmly in the base lodge between runs at ski races.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by their three children: Tom; Erik, husband of Suzanne; Kari, wife of Douglas Stenberg; and grandchildren: Maren, Madeline, Adam, Annika, and Amelia Nordhoy.