USA Nordic Combined skier Billy Demong, from Vermontville, NY, earned his first
world title this February by winning the combined large hill event, the final nordic
combined event of the 2009 FIS Nordic Ski World Championships. Demong's gold marks
the fourth for the USA at this year's Championships.
1. The United States nordic ski program is having the most successful season in its
history, highlighted by the nordic combined team’s three gold medals in the World
Championships last week. What, in your opinion, has been the main catalyst for this
turn of events?
We've been building a successful program for two decades. Going back to 1995 when
Todd Lodwick won a World Cup event we have over 50 podiums and 7 World Championship
medals (including junior worlds). I think that the maturity of our squad really
helped fuel our results in Liberec. We used our experience, good and bad, to be able
to bring our best game and fight for the titles relaxed and confident.
2. What advice would you give to local ski clubs in the United States to improve
their efforts in athlete development and what do you think is the most important
ingredient for a successful nordic ski club?
I think keeping kids enthusiastic and involved as long as possible is the most
important thing. Retention of skiers to an age of at least 18 or 19 is key to see
how much talent they have and it is important that they love skiing and racing in
order to pursue training and competing into their peak years.
3. In your World Championship race in Liberec, did you think about your 2002 win at
all?
Not really. The past is the past and each competition is a new day. I try and put
all my best jumps and races in a file of memories I can draw on for confidence and
forget the bad days as quickly as possible. In the last race I was focused on the
task at hand, and my favorite part was knowing on the last lap that I had the energy
and ability to beat Bjorn. I had a plan and it was sweet when I pushed my hardest
the last km and could hear him fall away!
[This is very true. Demong's title came two days after he was disqualified for
losing his bib ahead of his ski jump in the team competition, ruining the United
States' chance of a medal.]
4. How has your age and maturity affected your attitude toward your racing career in
general?
I think I am much better at focusing on the task at hand. I don't have any rituals -
I feel they can get in the way. However, I do have routines that I use everyday:
stretching, warm-ups, training, even eating! I use everything I have learned about
myself over the years. Routines I trust help me to focus and enter each competition
with a clear mind.
5. What are your favorite ski trails in the United States?
I love the trails at Mt Van Hoevenburg in Lake Placid. I grew up there and remember
skiing them when I was 5 years old. I remember think some of them were impossibly
long and hard, and now I can go out and just cruise. It's also beautiful on a crisp
cold winter day, just going out and getting lost in the hardwoods.
6. What is your favorite racing distance?
Honestly, I love skiing long races like 50 km; the pace is a little more relaxed.
But, 10-15km skates are something I am pretty good at. It’s a lot of pain, but
when you are skiing really well, it is awesome to be able to hammer hard for 30
minutes!
7. If you could choose a location in the US to build another jump hill, where would
it be?
I think a ski-jump in a metropolitan area like near New York city or Denver would be
great to be able to draw from a large population for new skiers as well as introduce
more people to our sport as spectators.
8. How do you make training fun?
I get to run, rollerski, bike, hike, and ski for a living! Its not hard for me to
find motivation to get out of bed to do that. But it is important to try and find
new places and good friends to bring along on the adventures to keep it fresh.
9. What do you think of specific off-season xc ski training for young athletes and
how effective do you think roller-ski training is for a junior skier?
I think rollerskiing is the best off-snow training. Very specific muscle memory, and
great cardiovascular work as well. I think especially for younger skiers, it is
necessary because the summer is the time to make technique changes and then when
they have become natural you can use it in racing.
10. Do you ever trash talk your opponents before or during a race?
We don't do much trash talk, but we do communicate. Nordic Combined is very tactical
and if you can work together it really helps the outcome. I will often talk to other
athletes like Magnus Moan before the race and make a plan like, "Let me catch you,
then we can work together."
11. Is it true that Annie Deprey once beat you in a race?
I believe that she got me at the line one time in a race near Saratoga Springs, Idaho!
Annie M. Deprey, Head Coach
Grand Mesa Gliders, http://gmgliders.blogspot.com/