Video Transcript » Erik Schlopy: Exclusive Interview
Questions by Patrick Lang:
How did it feel to reach the podium for the first time in your career?
Erik Schlopy:
Well, it was wonderful. The team is having a great winter so far .
I was 4th in Park City, twice in the top 10 in Val d'Isère, and Bode Miller also was in the top 10 before reaching the podium in Val d'Isère. We both are doing great things. Every time we do a step more, and we hope to soon be on the top step. We hope it's going to happen this year.
Patrick:
To be on the podium in a World Cup race, was it a kid dream?
Erik:
Yes, I have been looking for this since my 10th birthday. What I really wanted was to clinch a medal at the Olympics. I'm AmErikan, and it's quite hard to compete on the World Cup tour, but I love Europe; it's where I really learned racing. I have a place in Austria. I've made a lot of friends, and it helps me to perform well here.
Patrick:
You were ahead of Gruber in the first run - could you have won this race?
Erik:
Yes, but that's the past. I could also have crashed out. I was close to disaster at a certain point. I'm very happy with this 2nd place. I'm ahead of Von Gruenigen and other big shots in the standings. I wanted to be in the top 10 - it's really fantastic.
Patrick:
You don't look very surprised.
Erik:
I believed I had the potential for this. I mean, I have not reached my "red zone" so far this season. I can ski faster. At Val d'Isère, I skied like a tourist and I was still top 10. Here [Bormio], I went for it, but still not at 100%. I want to progress regularly, step by step, without risking my health. My goal is not to just score top 10 or a podium, but to improve my level constantly. I want to follow up my program and to feel that I am moving ahead. It's not so important to be just once among the top three, but to reach your potential. I have a long-term plan, and I'm ready to work hard for this. The 2002 Olympics are definitely an important goal for all of us in the team, but I want to continue to race afterwards. Ski racing is fun. And with this result today, I can say that I'm making more money on the World Cup tour than with the pros.
Patrick:
What a career, you have been in the AmErikan team as a junior, then on the pro tour, you are back now on the World Cup, this must be quite exciting for you?
Erik:
Yes, I had great moments in the pro tour, and I think that this experience has really prepared me, mentally and emotionally. It has really helped me to grow as an athlete and as a professional competitor. My family helps, me a lot. I hope we keep it up for a long time.
Patrick:
How much is your pro tour experience helping you now?
Erik:
A lot and even more. My best result on the US team before turning pro was a 19th place, and here I finished 2nd. Pro skiing is tough; you have to be very consistent, strong mentally and physically, learn good tactics and be well organized.
Look at Hermann Maier — he has learned so much by himself in the past. That's why he is so strong and so focused now.
I know that my former colleagues from the pro tour are watching me, and they are very proud of me. I guess many of them wish to be doing the same thing.
Patrick:
So what's next now?
Erik:
Winning, what else?
Patrick:
You want to be in a good shape for the World Championships and then be ready for the Olympics in one year?
Erik:
The Championships are on the second list of my priorities. Right now, I'm still learning. I'm not going to win a gold medal in the moment. I think that I have to get a few gears more to be on the top. I also want to train in slalom, because I know that I can ski well in this discipline. I also want to score a top-10 there.
I just need more training between races. The schedule right now is pretty hectic. We just competed three times in three different places in five days. I take it step by step. I'm patient. You know, I'm only 28 years old, and I'm on the podium for the first time, so I hope to race like that six or seven years more.
Patrick:
This is good way also to celebrate Christmas early?
Erik:
Yes for sure, it's a nice Christmas present for me and my friends. Good time to go home too and to have a few days off, then to get ready for January, which is a hard period. I hope to ski well in two weeks.
Patrick:
What about the US team? You have fun together?
Erik:
For sure, we are good friends. We are always pushing each other. Four or five of us are scoring points now, and we want to move up. We are having a great time, and this is also a major part of our success. We strongly support each other and move along in the same direction. I hope that our good result will create a strong momentum at home, and more people and companies will help us now.
