Rod Aller - Anecdotes

Rod first skied cross-country in 1924 at the age of eight in New Jersey on Northland skies with toe straps.

He started ski jumping and cross-country competition at Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Ct. in 1933 inspired by Norwegian legend Paul Satre.

In 1941 Rod won the 1^st Connecticut State Slalom championship.

Lowell Thomas “did dash up to Salisbury” in Feb. 1948 to report on the jumping competition. He admired “that famous Princeton jumper Rod Aller who I think was the first chap I ever saw in graceful flight at Ste Sauveur, along in 1935 -36.”
http://www.k-b-c.com/rodaller/worldchamp/lowellthomas1.jpg.
http://www.k-b-c.com/rodaller/worldchamp/lowellthomas2.jpg

Rod said his two worst skiing experiences were falling into a 15-foot fumerole in 1938 while skiing on a Chilean volcano and being buried in an avalanche at Aspen in 1948 to the point where his outstretched arm and fully extended ski poll saved his life when the glimmer of the tip was seen reflected in the sun.

In 1974 Rod passionately argued to the USSA to bring back the “Ski Meister” Masters category that would determine a champion by combining Nordic and Alpine events.

In 1981 President Ford invited Rod to join the Jerry Ford Celebrity Cup at Beaver Creek Resort, Colorado. Rod’s team captain was Pepi Steigler who set the handicap with Jean-Claud Killy. http://www.k-b-c.com/PresidentFordInvitationb.jpg

Lisa Densmore wrote on April 5, 1996 in “Ski Racing” magazine: “Rod Aller, ever the fastest gentleman on skies, became a quadruple gold medalist in Men’s Class 11 (National Alpine Championships in Maine).” http://www.k-b-c.com/worldchamp/1996AlpineChampion.jpg

Three months shy of his 70^th birthday Rod wrote the USSA US Olympic Complex in Colorado Springs, CO., to enquire “whether it is permissible under USSA regulations to make an election to race in an age group lower than one’s age would normally require.” 7/29/1986

Albert Sise, who at age 79 had won over 200 titles in 50 years, marveled at Rod’s success on the slopes saying, “ He has tremendous strength and his timing on the turns is about as precise as you get it.”