Discussion: NY Times & Sharon Crawford!!!

Real nice article. Good for her.

We were born about three weeks apart. I think she's my senior, but I'm not quite sure. I've known her for about 45 years. She has been, and continues to be, amazing.

Of all her various accomplishments, the one I always thought the most of was WOC-79 in Finland. In those days WOC was one individual race and a relay. She was 31st in the individual and led our women's team to 10th in the relay. Outstanding.

She's as tough as they come.

Super fun read. Sharon truly is one of a kind. So inspiring.

Excellent! Keep on going, Sharon. We’re cheering for you.

I love Sharon, especially her never-ending smile and positive attitude.

Sharon is awesome and so is this article!

Just read it and Sharon is amazing in all aspects. She will talk Orienteering with anyone and that anyone should listen to any advice she gives!

Love it! I know most of have long been impressed with Sharon and love her amazing abilities and attitude. Now millions of others can know of the legend that is Sharon.

She is smart and knows the rules better than the rules committee.

Wonderful article. Endurance she has in spades.

Wonderful article about a wonderful lady. Congratulations Sharon!

How easy it is to picture this...
When asked about the most difficult aspect of her uphill ski events, Sharon Crawford said, “Doing them.”

Excellent article...well-deserved recognition.

But Sharon is just one of the amazing athletes and personalities I've met in this wonderful sport. How is it that O attracts such singularly talented, unique group of individuals?

@chi: Here's my personal reasons:
a) zero money, i.e. no spectators
b) no commercial interest (see (a))
c) easier to explain and harder to master than golf.

How is it that ...
That's because orienteering demands an unholy amount of critical thinking.
Sheeple just do not belong here.
Enjoyed reading the well-written article. Great story.

And Sharon is listed as a Coureur des Bois legend, with 28 finishes of the Canadian Ski Marathon (being held this weekend) as a Gold, which is a 160K classic ski over 2 days, carrying everything for camping out overnight, some years in frigid temperatures. That's the record for women.

It must be a challenge just managing her frequent flyer account. But good on Sharon.

There's a front-page thumbnail pic and brief tease on my home-delivery NYTimes hard-copy this morning. And the article itself is quite a spread on two pages of the Business section. Close friends of Sharon may wish to pick up a copy.

The incomparable Sharon. Much like PG, for me she dates back to Concord, MA and New England Orienteering Club 45 years ago. She has a list of all high points climbed in states, countries and on continents. She's never slowed down in her mind and heart.

So proud of Sharon.

Having competed with Sharon I can attest to her competitive drive...I wasn’t ever able to get ahead of her. What always impressed me were her analytical skills as well as her physical endurance. One accomplishment that was not mentioned in the article was her numerous finishes in the Canadian Ski Marathon, talk about a grueling race!

How Sharon celebrated her 75th birthday a few months ago:

Just a correction to chitownclark's note above: the article is actually on the front of the Sports section (as it should be!). Huge full-color photo, then a couple more on the next page (actually 2 pages later in case anyone wants to get pedantic like I did with chitown...).
Great picture of Sharon atop Pike's Peak!

She saved Pikes Peak for last?

The same article with a different photo was featured in the Sports section of Saturday's Toronto Globe & Mail, a paper that bills itself as Canada's National Newspaper. (Top half of a page 3, one photo - a bit of a squeeze compared to NY Times but then the Globe had to fit in articles about both of Toronto's professional rugby teams!)