By Liz Hampton
TESERO, Italy, Feb 6 (Reuters) – The U.S. cross-country team is known for its close-knit culture, but this year the skiers have taken the concept more literally, bringing a shared hobby with them to the Milano Cortina Olympics.
To wind down between a demanding training and race schedule, some have taken to knitting, even ordering yarn to be delivered to the Italian Alps during the Games.
“I have gotten really into knitting recently. So far, I’ve knit a hat and a sweater this season. I’m really fired about it,” said Ben Ogden, member of the U.S. cross-country ski team, during a press conference.
“I brought all kinds of yarn. I actually ordered some, so hopefully it’ll get here from Iceland.”
Ogden, who apologized for unanswered emails and messages resulting from his new all-consuming hobby, is not alone. Teammates Jessie Diggins and Julia Kern have also shown off pictures of their own woven creations on social media this season.
“Incredibly important breaking news that I’m sure you’ve been waiting to hear … I FINISHED KNITTING A SWEATER!” Diggins wrote on Instagram in January, posting a picture of herself in a cozy multi-colored sweater.
Skier Julia Kern spent some time in her Olympic pre-camp working on a blue and burgundy hat, according to her posts.
Ogden’s latest project is a pair of mittens that he described as featuring French historical figure Joan of Arc.
“The art is really small, so I might have bitten off more than I could chew,” he said. “For me, it’s a pretty awesome way to just, like, relax. I really crave the ability to make things. That’s something that I have when I’m home and I didn’t have when I’m here until now.”
(Reporting by Liz Hampton in Teseor, Italy; additional reporting by Tommy Lund; editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
