Ski Racing - September 19, 2011

Julia Mancuso
Age: 27
Hometown: Squaw Valley
Circuit: World Cup

Völkl Local

I switched to Völkl last season, so this will be my second season, and I ride Lange boots now — since I can remember. Völkl just seemed like a great fit, I knew it was time to try something new, and from my first turns, they really suited my style of skiing. They are easy to ski, but give me just the right amount of power to keep the speed throughout the turn. My Lange boots have always fit me perfectly, so I am comfortable, and I like that in a ski boot.

Dakine Life

Here I have four pairs of boots — and skis? Well, I’m lucky enough to say that you would have to ask my ski tech. Plus one pair of powder skis, always. I live in Maui, so naturally all my bags have become Dakine. Plus my hardcore Tumi bag to lug my physio machine. That thing is a rock! From so many years on the road, I try to bring as few clothes as possible. Then I need another whole bag for equipment and supplements and toiletries. That stuff takes up too much room! Its like, I can’t believe it when I need an extra bag just for my extra stuff. Swix poles and just a few extra in case they break bashing in the gates or a crash. I take one speed suit and one slalom suit.

POC Mark

Love my POC so much that I want to bring all the colors. I narrow it down to two helmets and a goggle with every different lens, so I don’t have to change the lens, just the goggle.

Shades

Kaenons, just two, a sporty and a fun.

Off the Clock

Watch? What time is it, anyway?

Wear and Tear

I never bring enough protective equipment; my arms always get bruised up — you would think I would have figured it out by now. I hopefully remember my Slytech back protector and arm guards, and Spyder Stealth. I also bring just a pair of mittens and a pair of Reusch downhill gloves, and one beanie and my BigTruck hat. I mix and match my Nike cold weather gear with my Spyder team gear. I try and train with as little as possible, so it’s easier to layer on the base layer and just bring a big jacket that I can take off. For freeskiing, I bring an extra Spyder jacket without patches to cruise around in.

Kicks and Shuffle

I love my Nike iDs; it’s so fun to create my own shoes. I have an iPod, and I just listen to it all. I’m not a playlist girl; I go with the shuffle gods to provide me with the day’s listening pleasure — and that can be pretty random, considering I have 19,000 songs on there. Always have my MacBook Air, Kindle and iPad. I am a gear junkie, but it’s mostly for the airplane. Right now I have an easy read, Norah Roberts; she’s great at making you forget!