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Heavyweight Ski Championship

By Rocky Thompson on March 8th, 2010

The Mountain World pointed me toward this photo of John Truden, who they said was the multi-time Heavyweight Ski Champion from the early 1970s. I’ve seen the shot here and there on the internet, usually alongside that one of the fat guy in the Lampre kit at the Tour de France. I always thought it was some kind of early NASTAR race where anyone could enter or the whole thing was made up, but then I found this article about John Truden in a 1970 copy of the Bangor Daily News. The guy was a badass. I have no idea why they would have stopped holding the Heavyweight Ski Championships. I’d go watch.

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This entry was posted on Monday, March 8th, 2010 at 1:38 pm and is filed under Current Events, Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

9 Responses to “Heavyweight Ski Championship”

  1. bryantp March 8th, 2010 at 3:14 pm

    The best of all would be a ski/snowboard cross with these guys. I’m envisioning kind of a frozen roller derby. Sign me up and pass the pizza.

  2. Peter Haynes March 8th, 2010 at 6:52 pm

    Does anyone know if John Truden is still alive. I tried researching him a few months back but couldn’t find any info on him. Let us know!

  3. John Truden April 15th, 2010 at 5:19 pm

    John passed away years ago

  4. Jeff Knight March 24th, 2011 at 4:28 pm

    Write a comment… I skied in the WH ski championships against John Truden in the late 70′s early 80′s. What a tremendous time we always had. Trying to find any old videos of the races. I know Real People (TV show covered it one year. Any help would be appreciated.

  5. Jim Adams April 5th, 2011 at 2:47 pm

    Write a comment…I also raced against John the last year they held the race. In fact, they let us keep the “Kirchner Franks” bibs. The concept was that for every 25 pounds you were above 225 they took time off. John didn’t need the handicap as he was an accomplished skier and, at 400+lbs he let his size carry him over a very flat course. At 6′ 8″ and 275 lbs (including gear) I was the lightweight of the group. It was a great time to be big!

  6. Alan Hootnick September 2nd, 2012 at 12:06 pm

    I used to know John Truden. Where is he now? Why do you say he was a “badass”?

  7. Alan Hootnick September 4th, 2012 at 6:35 am

    I find it strange that someone who identified hismelf as “John Truden” said he passed away years ago! Can anyone please find out what really happened to him? write me at: ahootnick@yahoo.com

  8. Jay October 13th, 2012 at 8:36 pm

    John Truden passed away in May of 2000 at age 50. He is buried in West Springfield, Massachusetts.

  9. Alan Hootnick May 11th, 2013 at 5:04 pm

    Write a comment…Thanks Jay for the info, if you have any details please let me know, ok?