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Show Wednesday, November 27, 1996 The Park Record B-1 kiiAkkik 'Dar' finds happiness in fine food, fast skiing and fatherhood by Lisa Antonucci OF THE RECORD STAFF "Trees, bumps and jumps. That's the motto," says Duane Hendrickson, flashing a boyish grin, his blue eyes glinting mischievously. mischie-vously. As a coach of the Park City Ski Team, Hendrickson is in charge of the 11 -year-olds a welcome task since it allows him to get in some quality time on the hill. ''It's the age group I love coaching coach-ing because I think it's where you can be most influential." Then the truth comes out. He continues, "Besides, I get to ski more. We ski Jupiter and the trees, and I don't have to stand on the side of a race course like you do when you're coaching teenagers." A racer himself, Hendrickson was on his first boards at the age of four. Originally from Michigan, he raced his way onto his varsity team at Northern Michigan University. He recalls going to talk to the coach, hoping to ask for a scholarship, scholar-ship, but getting an unexpected reply. "He looked at me and said, 'Scholarship? We only want good guys.' It only motivated me more." Twice Hendrickson was named MVP of his team along with the honor of All Mid-American, and he ultimately earned a final season finish of 16th in the NCAA slalom event held right here in Park City. It wasn't his first trip to Park City though. After attending a ski camp in Oregon, he left Northern Michigan for a year to race for the Park City Ski Team. Hendrickson was hooked. "I came to ski, to race in the mountains, but the summers made me stay." he said. Although he did return to finish his degree, he headed back out West and put his skis to the test on the racing circuit. He raced both as an amateur and a professional, but at the age of 25, struck with the chicken pox, he began to consider a career in coaching. Living the life of a 20-something "ski bum," Hendrickson found work painting houses and coaching part time, but it was the restaurant industry which intrigued him. "I was always the one who would cook, whether we were traveling to a race or all at home, I was always the guy who made the spaghetti," he laughs. "I could just always do it, and I was good at it." He started as a dishwasher at Adolph's and by the end of the season sea-son he was working on the cooking line. He went on to various jobs at restaurants like Philippe's and the Goldener Hirsch, but it was an innocent full moon than really jump-started his cooking career. "It was July of '91 and there was a total eclipse, which is very rare to begin with, but it also occurred during my birth sign. Of course I didn't find all this out until later, but I got this wild hair and decided that I didn't want to work for anyone any-one any more and if I didn't do it now, then who knows when I would." And within the time it takes for the moon to pass in front of the sun, Hendrickson started his own catering company. jpfPH f LUKE SMITH PARK RECORD Hendrickson, who regularly competes in the Town race series and jumping series, first came to Park City as a member of the Park City Ski Team. He now coaches the team's development division divi-sion (11 -year-bids). Named "Dar-licious" ("Dar" being Hendrickson 's nickname), he prides himself on his rack of lamb and shrimp wrapped in bacon. He can throw a mean fondue party as well, but when asked what he is most proud of, Hendrickson's racing rac-ing psyche quickly kicks in. "Praise is easy to come by, but what stands out in my mind are the times things don't go right," says Hendrickson thoughtfully. "I wouldn't say I'm a perfectionist, but I don't like doing poorly. Doing poorly bothers me more than doing well excites me." However, the one thing Hendrickson readily admits to getting get-ting excited about is his two-and-a-half-year old daughter Hannah. "She's two and a half going on 17. She talks great, knows too much. She's very independent and wants to do everything her way which is great. It will serve her well in her adult life, it's just a little hard to take when she's only two. Of course, with her mother being Leslie, it's no surprise. And you can't trick her. You can't trick reporters, either." Leslie Thatcher, of KPCW's news team, met Hendrickson 10 years ago when they both worked at Adolph's. When asked to describe his wife, he grins. "Write what I just told you about Hannah," he says with a telling like-mother-like-daughter look. When pressed, though, Hendrickson finally reveals his hidden talent. "I make really good Halloween costumes," he said with pride. "I win contests and everything." every-thing." He's gone as everything from a goose-riding cowboy to the Statue of Liberty with Hannah as his own personal torch. Hendrickson continues to keep up his racing skills, regularly competing com-peting in the Town Race Series and the annual "Al's Hill" ski race. A 17-year tradition, it began with just a bunch of buddies looking to have an informal race and a decent party. Hendrickson recalls collecting collect-ing aluminum cans for days 200 pounds to be exact which they redeemed for $60 and great party. : j: wm f'Z I - - - i ; PHOTO COURTESY OF DUANE HENDRICKSON Duane Hendrickson posing as the Statue of Liberty last Halloween, carries a torch for his little girl Hannah. The race became so popular that legendary ski film director Warren Miller actually showed up to shoot it, but Hendrickson says he has yet to see the footage in one of his movies. He has also taken up ski jumping at Bear Hollow ("I'll jump as far as these old bones will let me," he smiles.), and recalls watching his father jump when he was just a young boy. "I'm pretty much living a dream. I went home to my 20-year high school reunion and people asked me if I was still being a ski bum. But more than one person told me they were envious." he says knowingly. "I ski as much as I need to and still get to do everything every-thing I want to do. I wonder if that's why my daughter is the way she is?" Getting married? Celebrating a new arrival? Call The Park Record. We'll put it in print! 5 p t p i X) p p CM) Travelling to remote villages to bring you unique, hand-crafted furnishings... Come explore our Showroom and 6000 sq. ft. Warehouse for the perfect gift idea and to complement comple-ment your home. Ai direct importers, we beat anyone's price! 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