PERHAM, Minn. — Betsy Gilman last month finally won the gold medal she has been chasing for decades.

The 55-year-old Perham resident represented the U.S. at the World Masters Barefoot Championships in Paris, where she collected several medals — including the gold for women of all ages in the barefoot ski jump.

Gilman set a goal for the gold in her mid-30s. While she has received medals in competitions before, the closest she got in the barefoot ski jump was silver. Every year that passed, gold seemed less likely.

But on this day, on a secluded lake in France, Gilman had tied for first place in the barefoot jump, reaching a distance of 8 1⁄2 meters (or roughly 28 feet).

While her personal record is 10 ½ meters (34 feet), she was happy with her jump due to unfavorable conditions.

The

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