Wendell Broomhall

Wendell “Chummy” Broomhall had a long career in skiing, both as a competitor, soldier, and administrator of the sport. He competed in the 1948 and 1952 Winter Olympics, but also helped organize the 1951 FIS World Nordic Championships, held in Rumford, Maine. At the 1960 Squaw Valley Olympics he was Chief of Events for the cross-country competitions, where he introduced machine grooming to the cross-country courses. During World War II, Broomhall served in the 10th Mountain Division. Broomhall coached numerous local skiers in Maine, including several Olympians, notably Bob Pidacks. He later donated 300 acres of his own land in the Maine wilderness to Black Mountain of Maine, and the Chisholm Ski Club has used this to develop ski trails. Broomhall was inducted into the US Ski Hall of Fame in 1981.