Former NMU Nordic skier Eli Brown will march with the Team USA delegation during the Feb. 9 opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Pyeongchang. But he won’t be competing as an athlete as he once dreamed. He is a ski tech for the U.S. cross-country ski team. Brown’s role is to monitor snow conditions and test different types of wax to make sure the team has the fastest skis possible. Choosing the right wax can help racers shave valuable seconds off their times. Read a feature story on Brown here.