Sölden crowd, Photo: GEPA

Tommy Ford started the first run 35th and finished 26th. Then he won the second run to finish 6th overall. Since his January 2021 injury, this was Ford’s first race at full capacity.

Tell us about your day in Sölden.

The first run was just good feeling skiing, but I knew it wasn’t fast; it just felt too good. Second, run definitely felt more like it, letting it go and a little more on edge and on that limit. Not surprising at all. I’ve been working at it and have done it before and it’s been a nice buildup through the summer. My knee is feeling good. So I still feel able to push.

I think the fans were a bit surprised to see you return to form so quickly.

Right. Well, don’t recycle me so quickly. I’m still here. It took a little while to recover, but back at it.

What can you tell us about your prep period?

This season? I started out with the surgery in March and that was pretty easy, just taking out some hardware. Then I did a lot of strength work throughout the summer. And then in August, I was in New Zealand, and we had sweet training; I love it down there. Then I went to Chile, did some speed training and all that was just building some confidence. I started slow to feel things out but it felt good throughout. And these last couple of weeks we’ve been able to push it more in Pitztal, Schnalstal and here in Sölden. So feeling good.

What was your mindset coming into the first race of the season?

Yeah, I’ve done this a couple of times now, but it’s, it is a little strange. I just felt good having my team behind me and at my back and I have a mental coach here. I felt comfortable and ready.

Did you take a different approach for the second run?

I just stayed the course. I knew I was a fraction of an inch away from doing that first run and I knew the feeling I’d been having in training. So, I trusted what I’d been doing.

What superpower do you use to recover from significant injuries twice now?

One injury was a long time and the other was fairly quick. Both took time. I just go on living my life and it just turns out that I am drawn to ski racing. To ski race, the way I know how to is to take myself out of the equation. But I don’t know.

Olympic medalist Ryan Cochran-Siegle reviews his day in Sölden

How was your first-day racing GS since the Beijing Olympics?

I felt like I had some good skiing in there. I think it’s the second year that I was 31st on the first run here, which is a little disappointing. But I didn’t really come in with any expectations, so I’m happy with a lot of my skiing during the run.

What is your GS plan for the next few months?

It’s a challenging event, especially prioritizing speed. I don’t think I’ll race the Val d’lsere GS. I hope that I’m feeling good and strong for Alta Badia. It’s definitely a stacked schedule during that period. I will play it by ear, every race we go to.

Leading up to today, how was it with the rest of the men’s GS team?

I think honestly we had a pretty competitive showing. I mean this is after the first run; I think River’s in 11th, and Tommy is in 26th as far as I know. I mean, I was 31st and Isaiah I think was just behind me. So I think we have a lot of potential with this group. It’s been really fun for me to be able to train with these guys over the last two weeks.

They definitely bring it on during training days and I think that ups the intensity for what we’re able to accomplish on race days. I think we also know that we’re all more capable than where we are right now. River is in a really good striking position and I think he could really move up and have a good day. I think Tommy, his ability and where he’s been skiing, has more in the tank. So I’m hoping as a group we can use today as a building block and recognize there’s a lot more to be had.

What are you going to be working on for the next few weeks?

I hope we can get some Super-G training on the race hill here in the next few days. I think that’s still in the mix. Beyond that getting some time in the gym, some time at home and then working into Copper to get ready for Lake Louise. I will be trying to really maximize getting my speed to a competitive level. I think it’s always nice in October to be able to ski so much GS because I build off it as my foundation for speed. So using that and really connecting it into that into my gliding.

Would you like to add anything?

I would like to say congrats to Isaiah. Getting his first World Cup out of the way, he definitely showed that he belongs here. He is more than capable of being a top 30 GS skier. I think it is just a matter of time and a little bit more work.

Isaiah Nelson comments on Sölden, his first World Cup

Your first World Cup is done and dusted. What’s going through your mind?

I’m definitely pretty happy that I pushed myself really hard because I would’ve been more upset if I would’ve felt good but wasn’t pushing and then finished outside the 30. Even though it’s my first one, I’m still bummed that I didn’t qualify for the second run. I think that knowing where my skiing is; I had a chance. It stings a little bit, but I’m also pretty grateful knowing that a year ago I never would’ve imagined myself having an opportunity to ski a World Cup yet. So it came sooner than I was expecting, so I am happy.

How are you feeling about the rest of the season?

I’m feeling good. I realize there’s work to be done before I’m ready to compete with the World Cup guys regularly. But, I think if my season ends up taking me more to Europa Cups, that it’s gonna be a lot of fun. I’ll be able to push myself with the Euro Cup guys.

How has it been with your teammates today?

It’s been amazing. Actually, it’s cool to see how much they are teammates and how much they want each other to do well. And in training, we always push each other. At the younger level, it’s there, but there’s also a little bit more competitiveness and you really feel the camaraderie with these guys. I credit why I’m skiing a lot better than a year ago to being with the World Cup SL / GS and Speed teams throughout the summer. Being around them, they’ve been able to be mentors and help me take my skiing to the next level.

Considering today, have there been any surprises? Anything you weren’t expecting?

The snow was pretty easy today, so it wasn’t as hard as I expected it to be. It felt a little easier, which was a good thing. It was more that I was watching the World Cup guys and knowing I get to race this race instead of just knowing that I’m only going to be watching. That was a special moment I had. But otherwise, it feels pretty similar to any other race. Once I was in the start gate, it wasn’t bad.

What are your immediate goals for the next two weeks?

I will have a good speed training block in Copper with our World Cup team. I think that it’s gonna be a lot of fun, on winter snow to see where I can be against them. I want to learn from them coming into their race season. And I think I’m gonna end up going to Europa Cups in November and December and my goal there will be to compete head to head with the Europa Cup guys who were also at this World Cup.

Anything you would like to add?

Today definitely left me hungry for more. Even though it was my first World Cup, I still felt the sting of not getting a second run. However, I don’t necessarily want to chase after every World Cup GS from here on out. I think that I am in a good place with my skiing, but I need to be patient with myself to get more experience on steep bumpy slopes because that is where I struggle the most. I think that I need more training to be able to show my best skiing on challenging slopes even when I am skiing with high intensity. That’s what will lead me to the top 30 results.