Jit's Journal: A conversation with Steve Nyman

Jit’s Journal: A conversation with Steve NymanHello again everyone! I am currently on a brief break at home in the states before I go across the pond to Europe for some more training at the Pitztal Glacier. I have decided to fill some of this down time by interviewing my good friend and U.S. National DH Champion, Steven Nyman. I figured I would get his take on what it is like to be a member of the U.S. Ski Team, and how he is coping with his transition from the Europa Cup to the World Cup squad, and to ask him a few off-the-wall questions. From one athlete to another…

So Steve, how does it feel to be making the transition from Europa Cup to the World Cup, or as some of us call it, the Plush Cup?
I feel exactly the same as I always have. I’m still trying to get from point A to point B as fast as I can, while getting some better training opportunities and a new bunkmate. That’s it, nothing’s terribly different.

When being on the road starts to wear down on you and your skiing isn’t where you want it to be, how do you get back into focus? Do have a happy place or something like that?
I run away! I actually ran away while I was in Chile. I had to get out of Portillo and see something other than the color white. So I packed a little bag and went on a hitchhiking adventure. I met some funny interesting people and really didn’t think about skiing much.

What is your favorite thing about traveling around the world? Least favorite?
I love hauling all my luggage around the world it is extremely fun and easy. Eight pieces and little Euro cars, I tell you its so much fun! My least favorite thing is sleeping next to Ted Ligety, I worry some times.

I got to admit, nothing beats walking into an airport with eight bags, other than a good kick in the groin. Has there ever been a time in a SG or DH inspection that you asked yourself, ‘What the hell was I thinking getting myself into this?’
Kitzbuehel of course! I never raced the downhill, but I have skied it, and as of now I’m really not sure I want to throw my carcass down that hill again quite yet.

Last year you ran at Kitzbuehel, which was cancelled; describe the differences between that and a normal speed course.
Gnarly, crazy, demanding! It is just one demanding section after another. Most courses let up after a crazy section but at Kitz it never stops. It’s steep pitch after steep pitch. It takes everything you got. It is the gnarliest hill out there.

What is your biggest goal for the coming year?
Biggest? Hmm. Take down JJ (Johnson) in backgammon! That’s probably the thing I am furthest away from at the moment.

How is ‘Grandpa’ (Nickname for JJ Johnson, U.S. Ski Team’s B Team)? JJ is another soul searching for speed. He and I are both looking for that next gear to go faster, which seems to be coming along well.

If you could give a tip to young racers looking to make the U.S. Ski Team, what would it be?
Ski because you love it, if you don’t love it you won’t last.

Amen brother! Finally, besides trying to escape crazed European women, what would you do after you win your first World Cup race?
Run away! For what amount of time I don’t know.

Tim Jitloff was the 2005 Sprint / Ski Racing Junior of the Year (and Steve Nyman got that award in 2003). Jitloff will keep his online journal here all season. Readers are encouraged to send him questions at jitskiracing@yahoo.com. To read more athlete journals, or to hear industry insiders in their own words, click here.