U.S. skiing community loses friend in Robbins

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You probably didn’t see the news. If you did notice the obit, you likely didn’t pay much attention. And that’s too bad.

Paul Robbins died Saturday. And if you’ve ever strapped on a pair of skis, or watched an Olympic race on TV, Robbins was your friend.

You probably never met him. Probably can’t place the face. But he was your friend. Trust me on this.

Robbins, 68, was a journalist who served as the U.S. Ski Team’s primary writer for more than 20 years. You heard his voice on CBS and NBC Olympic telecasts, and on the public address system at world-class races.

I cover skiing on occasion, and met Robbins at Sugarloaf/USA several years ago. He was the older guy with the bigger-than-life personality and the trademark Scottish tam perched jauntily on his head.

Robbins’ first message to me: I was inappropriately dressed to cover skiing.

“No ties, here, Bangor Daily,” he told me with a grin.

At first, I was offended. Heck, I didn’t even know the man, let alone ask him for fashion tips. After watching him in action for a couple of days, I decided he probably knew what he was talking about.

I never wore another tie to a ski race. And I always looked forward to working with the boisterous man from Weathersfield, Vt.

In every press room I’ve ever visited, there are a lot of people who think they have all the answers.

And there’s one who does.

In ski circles, Paul Robbins was that guy.

If you wanted to know how Bode Miller fared at Whistler back in 2001, all you had to do was ask Paul Robbins.

He didn’t look it up.

He knew.

Robbins made life easier for generations of ski journalists, and in turned shared his passion for the sport with fans of all ages.

He had a smile for everyone, and a word of advice for many. Even if he didn’t know them. Even if they were wearing neckties to a ski race.

He’ll be missed. Trust me on that.

Skiing and hoops go together

While many made their daily pilgrimages to the Bangor Auditorium last week, I took a traditional trip of another kind, heading to Sugarloaf for the annual family vacation.

Until I began writing about the outdoors a few years back, February vacation revolved around the high school basketball tournament, and some say I hold the all-time tournament record for hot dogs eaten by a print journalist.

Nowadays, I head to Carrabassett Valley and ski. Not that the tournament isn’t a hot topic of discussion, mind you.

Most of my family members (we packed 12 into the condo this year) enjoy watching tournament basketball, and we spend several hours each year huddled in front of a TV, watching the games.

This year was no exception.

Congratulations to all of the participants, and special kudos to those who’ll move on and battle for state championships this weekend.

Cabin Fever Reliever a hit

After returning from the mountains, I got a chance Sunday to drop by the Cabin Fever Reliever show at the Brewer Auditorium. The Penobscot Fly Fishers put on the show, and club members said attendance was good.

The small show is the perfect size, in my opinion, and gives visitors the chance to stop and chat for a bit with the exhibitors.

There’s no rush, plenty of interesting people to meet, and plenty of things to see.

Everyone I spoke to said they thought the Brewer location was a perfect fit, with all of the exhibitors under one roof, in one room.

Speakers were in a separate room, where they could conduct seminars in a quiet environment.

After a one-year hiatus, it was nice to have the Cabin Fever Reliever back and running.

It almost makes you believe that spring is looming.

Almost.

Derby results in

Forgive the vacation-induced delay, but a couple of ice-fishing derbies took place a couple weekends back, and you may be interested in the results.

First, in the 46th annual Schoodic Lake Fishing Derby, the following anglers caught the largest fish in specific categories – Togue: Hazen Conlogue, Williamsburg, 7.10 pounds, 27 inches; brook trout: Norman Gove, Gardiner, 2.05 pounds, 18 inches; salmon: Wade Pinkham, Portland, 5.33 pounds, 261/4 inches; cusk: Mark Sinclair, Glenburn, 5.71 pounds, 293/4 inches; white perch: William R. McCormick, Prospect, 1.65 pounds, 141/4 inches; pickerel: David Bragdon, Millinocket, 3.14 pounds, 24 inches; bass: David Bragdon, Millinocket, 3.57 pounds, 181/2 inches; junior boy: Cody Cobby, Brownville, 5.84-pound togue; junior girl: Krishanna Cook, Brownville, 2.86-pound togue; odd fish: Patrick Libby, Dixmont, 4.34-pound sucker.

In the K-9’s for Kids derby at Pleasant Lake in Stetson, the following prizes were awarded – bass: Jan Ellis, Stetson, 5.5 pounds; Mike Hendricks, Levant, 5.1 pounds; David Barker, Stetson, 4.10 pounds; pickerel: Ryan Annett, Stetson, 22 5/8 inches; Derrick Clukey, Garland, 221/4 inches; Donnie Sleeves, Kenduskeag, 211/4 inches.

jholyoke@bangordailynews.net

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