Teaching Cross-Country Skiing
Bridget A. Duoos, PhD,is an associate professor in the health and human performance department at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota.Dr. Duoos has done extensive research in the biomechanics of cross-country skiing skills, pedagogy of skiing skills, skill progressions, and methods of assessing students’ progress. She has presented her research on both the biomechanics and the teaching of cross-country skiing at state, district, and national American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) conferences. She holds a bachelor of arts degree in physical education teaching and health education teaching and both a master’s and doctorate in biomechanics.An experienced and passionate instructor, Dr. Duoos has taught cross-country skiing to children, youth, and adults as a coach for the Minnesota Youth Ski League (MYSL) and as an instructor at the University of Minnesota and the University of St. Thomas. Dr. Duoos is a past member of the MYSL board of directors and coauthor (with Anne Rykken) of the MYSL curriculum, used by hundreds of instructors throughout the upper Midwest.Dr. Duoos has been a member of AAHPERD since 1975. In 1999 she received the Presidential Award for Physical Education from the Minnesota Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance and recently received the Lou Keller award for outstanding contributions to the field. She is also a member of the International Society of Biomechanics in Sports (ISBS), the Biomechanics Academy of AAHPERD, and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).Dr. Duoos and her husband, Armen Hitzemann, reside in North Branch, Minnesota. When the snow melts, she spends her free time running, golfing, and reading.Anne M. Rykken, BFA,is a graphic designer and Nordic ski coach. She has been the head coach for 14 years at Minnehaha Academy in Minneapolis, Minnesota.Anne is a founding member of the Minnesota Youth Ski League (MYSL), where she spent 15 years as executive director developing a nearly 1,000-member youth ski club from the ground up. During the same time, Rykken led the MYSL Como Park club, which remained the largest cross-country ski club in the United States for the duration of her leadership.Rykken coauthored (with Bridget Duoos) the current MYSL curriculum. She recently received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Minnesota Nordic Ski Association for her work in developing youth skiing in Minnesota. She is frequently invited to help leaders in the ski community develop vibrant family-oriented ski clubs.In addition to skiing, Rykken enjoys biking and most other outdoor activities. She and her husband, Scott, live in St. Paul, Minnesota. Nearby are their two grown children, who are accomplished Nordic skiers and coaches as well.