Ski Racing - October 31, 2011

You’ve been thriving in an individual sport where athletes often fend for themselves. From a personal standpoint, how will the new U.S. Freeskiing team change the shape of your winter — and perhaps your career on the whole?

The U.S. Freeskiing team has been in the works for a long time, and it’s really exciting for me to be a part of it. It’s great to be on a team not only with my fellow athletes but also with my fellow athletes who are also my fellow countrymen. And I’m the kind of person who thrives in a team environment. In this sport, it’s really important to be happy and in a good mindset when you’re out there skiing because what we do is so dangerous. Having the extra support with the team is really, I think, going to allow us all to take things to the next level.

Speaking of the new team, we hear you’ve been seen a lot at USSA’s Center of Excellence? Any super-secret workouts you might be able to shed some light on?

It’s such an incredible facility and I feel so fortunate to be able to take advantage of the place. I hurt my shoulder in March and when I got back to Utah I was basically there from 9 to 5 every day rehabbing and working out. The staff is amazing and [the strength coach] that I work with has tailored a plan that’s perfect for me and my needs in the sport. I’m basically doing leg power and strengthening two days a week, two really tough core days per week, and an upper-body day.

What can racing fans look forward to from freeskiing? I think there are a lot of personalities in our sport who are really dynamic and we love to entertain and put on a show — that is, we’re not just athletes and competitors, we’re performers. Ski halfpipe’s inclusion in the Olympics means there’ll be a lot more people following what we do and I’m really excited to have that larger audience enjoy the ride.