Down Time Episode 16: From Team Gilboa to Torino / Living the dream

By Published On: March 4th, 2008Comments Off on Down Time Episode 16: From Team Gilboa to Torino / Living the dream


"I was so psyched, and right away I called my parents and they went crazy," recalled Kaylin Richardson of the night she learned she was going to be an Olympian from U.S. Ski Team head coach Patrick Riml. Richardson remembered awaiting the call in late January 2006, and when she finally received it being so nervous that she couldn't wait for the yes or no answer. She later raced in the combined event at the Torino Olympics before both of her parents and her two brothers — all of whom were able to make the trip to Italy. "I was so proud I couldn't explain it. It was amazing," said Richardson's brother Tom. Kaylin's mom recalled her daughter smiling ear to ear after completing her Olympic run despite being told by reporters that she wasn't going to medal so what was she so excited about. "What's not to be excited about," her mom remembers Kaylin saying. "I'm at the Olympics, representing my country. This is awesome."    
    You won't ever hear TJ Lanning complain about living the life of a U.S. Ski Team athlete. The sport demands sacrifice, often frustrating training sessions where you haul heavy gear up the hill for maybe four or five good training runs during preseason camps. "It's special when you see a kid that loves it and wants to ski and be in the winter environment," said Lanning's coach Phil McNichol. "If you don't love this, you're in the wrong business. You really have to love it." For his part, Lanning says he's living his dream as a kid who grew up in Park City and watched the World Cup come to his hometown for the America's Opening event for years. 
    Ski Racing and Rival Films present the final episode of the 16-week series Down Time: The Summer Sessions .
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"I was so psyched, and right away I called my parents and they went crazy," recalled Kaylin Richardson of the night she learned she was going to be an Olympian from U.S. Ski Team head coach Patrick Riml. Richardson remembered awaiting the call in late January 2006, and when she finally received it being so nervous that she couldn't wait for the yes or no answer. She later raced in the combined event at the Torino Olympics before both of her parents and her two brothers — all of whom were able to make the trip to Italy. "I was so proud I couldn't explain it. It was amazing," said Richardson's brother Tom. Kaylin's mom recalled her daughter smiling ear to ear after completing her Olympic run despite being told by reporters that she wasn't going to medal so what was she so excited about. "What's not to be excited about," her mom remembers Kaylin saying. "I'm at the Olympics, representing my country. This is awesome."
    You won't ever hear TJ Lanning complain about living the life of a U.S. Ski Team athlete. The sport demands sacrifice, often frustrating training sessions where you haul heavy gear up the hill for maybe four or five good training runs during preseason camps. "It's special when you see a kid that loves it and wants to ski and be in the winter environment," said Lanning's coach Phil McNichol. "If you don't love this, you're in the wrong business. You really have to love it." For his part, Lanning says he's living his dream as a kid who grew up in Park City and watched the World Cup come to his hometown for the America's Opening event for years. 
    Ski Racing and Rival Films present the final episode of the 16-week series Down Time: The Summer Sessions.
Down Time: The Summer Sessions is brought to you by the following sponsors:

Völkl/Tecnica

Nordica

Rossignol

Dynastar

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About the Author: Pete Rugh