For me, personally, getting a podium is not as important as feeling super comfortable on my skiing.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
I ski fast for me, first and foremost, and I ski fast for my family, and it's always the love that gets me to the podium.
With athletics, you put all that training in for only two major championships a year and the Olympics every four years. So when you get on top of the podium, it is relief and excitement and... Oh! it has all been worthwhile... the hard work, the sacrifices.
If you talk to most athletes, the place you're most comfortable is your playing field. I'm not so comfortable at a podium or talking about events.
Sometimes it's all about the win, sometimes it's about the skiing.
I think I have the ability to win any contest I enter. As long as I stay healthy and keep having fun with my skiing, there's no regressing.
Oh, I so don't care about the podium at the Oscars. I've stood at the podium at the Oscars and that's close enough. To be a presenter is as close as I need to be.
For me, skiing is a physical necessity. I have a need for risk.
I've actually medalled in every single swimming meet except for the Olympics, so that's the goal. I want to get on that podium - I really do. But for me, that's not something I can control... so I will be happy with going out there and swimming a race that I'm proud of.
I don't know if it's just me or everyone, but the whole vibe with skiing is not so much thriving on competition against others as it is against myself and the clock.
I've learned that winning isn't everything, and it's more about the journey. But at the end of the day, I just want to stand on the podium with the gold medal.