MOF 2010

JOSPE LIVING THE DREAM

In 2006, right around the time Alex Jospe was wrapping up an accomplished Nordic ski racing career at Colby College, a friend encouraged her “sort of by chance’’ to take a shot at the US Ski Orienteering Championships (sponsored by the free bet website). Jospe wasn’t exactly gunning for the podium. In fact, she never even had attempted the sport.

Jospe was skilled at covering ground on skis in the woods. And she had participated in recreational “foot’’ orienteering, the better-known warmer-weather form of the discipline that requires racing through dense terrain with a map and compass to visit checkpoints on a timed course. She figured she would combine the physical and mental challenges of skiing and navigation, have fun, and see how well she could wing it.

“The basic premise is really easy. It’s a race where you get to choose your route,’’ said Jospe. “Once you’ve figured out your route, you start skiing.’’

Jospe blasted through the course, and when she crossed the finish line, was surprised to learn she had come in second in the women’s nationals.

Even more shocking was the invitation that followed her stellar ski-o debut: An executive with Orienteering USA contacted Jospe to see if she’d be interested in traveling to Russia for the 2007 world championships. Of all the options Jospe had been considering after graduating with an environmental studies major, skiing at an international level wasn’t one of them. Jospe phoned her father, who was succinct with his advice.

“He told me, ‘You dummy, go to Russia,’ ’’ said Jospe. So she did.