Martha Benjamin

Hall of Fame

Lifetime Old Crow resident Martha Benjamin skied at the national level during the late fifties and early sixties.

She competed in Canada, the USA and Europe. As a young mother and at the age of 25, Martha was named the senior Canadian Women’s Cross-Country Ski Champion. The captured the title at a 10k race in Midland, Ontario, crossing the finish line in 43.29 minutes.

In an interview with the Whitehorse Star in 1963, Martha quoted her coach Father Mouchet as saying: “Old Crow has the potential. Martha is steel, straight steel. She could go on forever. Old Crow skiers have the ability to find a source of energy that we don’t know exists. Old Crow is the most isolated town in Canada. They have never had experience in real competitive racing. This is something they have to overcome.”

After her victory as Canadian Ski Champion, Martha went on to train for the Olympic team. Before the Olympic Games were within reach, she chose to focus on her family.