Olympic gold medalist Billy Demong, now CEO of USA Nordic, presents a signed bib from the United States Junior Nordic Team Trials in Lake Placid to former Paul Smith’s College ski team alumni Caroline Lussi of Lake Placid on Dec. 30, 2018. (Provided photo — Mary Dougherty)

LAKE PLACID — Olympic gold medalist Billy Demong, now CEO of USA Nordic, was on hand this weekend at the United States Junior Nordic Team Trials in Lake Placid. Sponsored by Paul Smith’s College, the event included two cross-country skiing races and a pair of jumping competitions held Thursday and Saturday nights.

Among other activities during the event, Demong presented a signed bib to former Paul Smith’s College ski team member Caroline Lussi.

Demong also recognized the Lussi family for their contributions to skiing in Lake Placid. Caroline’s son, Arthur, was one of the officials measuring on the hill, his wife Martina was one of the judges, Caroline’s granddaughter, Nina Lussi, was out west training with the US Nordic Women’s Ski Jump team, and her grandson, Myles, was one of the forerunners in the evening competition. Husband Serge was been a long time member of USSA board.

Demong was the first ever USA athlete to win an Olympic gold medal of any kind in Nordic skiing, claiming an individual Nordic Combined victory at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games, and also acknowledged the efforts of Paul Smith’s College, which has a long range goal of becoming one of the top nordic schools in the country.