STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — Former U.S. Ski Team downhiller Jace Romick, of Steamboat Springs, is rallying current and former skiing greats to help raise funds to help an Olympic champion who is struggling with disabilities.
Bill Johnson, who won a gold medal in the downhill event in 1984, increasingly is relying on a wheelchair to get around his mobile home in Zig Zag, Ore., Romick said.
According to news reports, Johnson is struggling with memory loss and walks only in a stooped posture.
Johnson was known for his brashness during his international ski racing career. But he came back to earth in 2001, when he crashed on a Montana downhill course while attempting a comeback at the age of 40. He has never quite recovered from those injuries, Romick said.
Romick has come up with a couple of raffle prizes to raise funds to make Johnson’s home and his mother’s car accessible. He’ll raffle one prize in Steamboat and Winter Park (where the NASTAR finals are taking place) this week, and save another for April 2, when Steamboat is set to host a welcome home party for local Olympians.
Tickets can be purchased for either prize or both. Raffle tickets are $5 each or six for $25. Tickets are available at Romick’s Into the West, Ski Haus and Fleischer Sports in Steamboat. Or people can e-mail Romick at www.jaceromick@qwestoffice.net.
Read the rest of this report, including details about the raffle items, at .
