Jit's Journal: Welcome to my column

Jit’s Journal: Welcome to my columnHello, my name is Tim Jitloff, and I am a member of the US Ski Team. Welcome to the ‘Jit’s Journal’ column. Consider me your all access pass into the little known world of the Europa Cup men’s squad. What is the Europa Cup men’s squad? We are not just the guys on the C-team and D-team; we are the future of the US Ski Team. Often our triumphs and failures go unnoticed at this stage of the game. This is because people have little or no access to what goes on between the time you make the US Ski Team and the time you make it on to the World Cup. Now that has changed!

This year, for the first time ever, you can follow us as we travel the world in search of speed. It will be my job to bring to you the quiet microcosm that few ever hear about. Here there are no million-dollar contracts, no celebrity buses, and no fans screaming your name or desiring your autograph. This is the nitty gritty step in the ladder to the World Cup. This is when you find out if you even have what it takes to make it to the big show.

Throughout this summer and coming winter I will be posting journals on skiracing.com that will shed a little light on who we all are and what we are doing. These entries will be about our team, individuals, racing events that have taken place, stories from the road, interviews, and things that I myself am experiencing while being on the Europa Cup squad. You’ll be there with us through the good the bad and the ugly. I hope it’s mostly good.

What are my credentials? I grew up skiing and racing in Truckee, California before joining the Park City Ski Team at the age of 17. Two years later I was named to the US Development Team. I am now one of the newest members of the C Team. Last year I was fortunate enough to win the Sprint/Ski Racing Junior of the Year award as well as a gold medal in the combined at world junior championships. I am huge a fan of all outdoor sports and anything that can give me a good adrenaline rush. So with that said I welcome those of you who read this to an exciting journey. Train hard and have fun!

–Jit

Tim Jitloff was the 2005 Sprint / Ski Racing Junior of the Year. He will keep his online journal here all season. To read more athlete journals, or to hear industry insiders in their own words, click here.