Ski Story

A few years ago, I went to buy a new pair of cross-country skis at a little shop in East Montpelier (pop. 2,600). I picked out a few pairs that looked about my size, and asked the salesman to tell me their differences. When I learned that one pair (brand name “Maverick”) was made in Russia, I said that was all I needed to hear, and snapped them up.

On that day, the idea for this issue’s cover story was born.

Since then, we have been gathering information and stories about unusual Russian imports into the U.S., using a very loose definition of the word “import.” After all, it would be hard to fit heirloom seeds or kefir cultures within anyone’s standard definition of an import. In fact, we had even thought of stretching the definition to include Google, since one of its two founders – Sergei Brin – is a first-generation Russian émigré.

Instead, we decided to save that for another story for which we already have a burgeoning file: Russian émigrés to the U.S. who have made significant contributions to American culture, the economy, politics and society. But this meant I had to scratch a cover idea I had for this issue: Googlemaster Sergei Brin astride a Ural while quaffing down a bottle of kefir.

Not one to give up on a great idea, I did the next best thing. I recruited a couple of semi-willing young Vermonters (a.k.a. my children), to hop on my friend Dave Kelley’s 1995 Ural, hold up those Mavericks, strap on some Russian binoculars and display the kefir (already quaffed). The result is above and, if you look closely, you can see the golden dome of the Vermont state capitol, with Camel’s Hump mountain towering in the background.

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It was ten years ago this month that our company took over Russian Life. We had absolutely no idea what we were getting into, but it has been a wonderful ride. Thanks for having us in your homes and offices for all or part of this past decade. We promise to continue to do our best to deliver interesting stories, news, photos and facts.

To wit: Just a few days before this issue went to press, I came across a statistic that offered an uncanny insight into modern Russia. Argumenty i Fakty reported that Russia ranks 7th in the world in the number of Nobel Prize Winners, 3rd in the number of billionaires, but 79th in the “happiness index” (see article, page 44) and 142nd in life expectancy.

Enjoy the issue.