Otto Laderach
Otto Laderach came to Peterborough in 1926 from his native Switzerland and became one of the most popular skiers in the area. A competitive skier in his youth, Otto won numerous trophies and awards, including the Ontario Combined Nordic Competition and a fifth place in a national event, as well as several Bethany Ski Club Championships.
Laderach remembers his first pair of skis at age three or four, made from staves of a wine barrel. He nailed his father’s shoes to the staves, and with his own shoes on, climbed into his new set of skis. One might say he followed in his father’s footsteps.
He built the first ski jump at Nassau in 1937, near the present site of Trent University, and numerous local and provincial competitions were staged there. Otto also initiated ski interest in the Huntsville and Oshawa areas, starting the Oshawa Club in 1936. He contributed much knowledge and teaching skills to the sport and over the decades donated countless hours of free time encouraging skiing. He died in 1993.
Year Inducted:
1980
Status:
Deceased
Otto Laderach came to Peterborough in 1926 from his native Switzerland and became one of the most popular skiers in the area. A competitive skier in his youth, Otto won numerous trophies and awards, including the Ontario Combined Nordic Competition and a fifth place in a national event, as well as several Bethany Ski Club Championships.
Laderach remembers his first pair of skis at age three or four, made from staves of a wine barrel. He nailed his father’s shoes to the staves, and with his own shoes on, climbed into his new set of skis. One might say he followed in his father’s footsteps.
He built the first ski jump at Nassau in 1937, near the present site of Trent University, and numerous local and provincial competitions were staged there. Otto also initiated ski interest in the Huntsville and Oshawa areas, starting the Oshawa Club in 1936. He contributed much knowledge and teaching skills to the sport and over the decades donated countless hours of free time encouraging skiing. He died in 1993.