A Quick Interview With Justin Wadsworth

FasterSkierFebruary 13, 2003

We tracked US Ski Team member Justin Wadsworth down in Europe for an interview
as the US Team prepares for the World Championships.


For
the folks back in North America, can you compare these World Championships to
last year's Olympics?

The feeling entering this years World Championships is quit a bit different
then that of going into the Olympics last year. For starters, we're not on our
home soil, and nothing compares to the size of the Olympics. With that said,
there are a lot of similarities. We still have six races, which include; 30k
mass start, 15k individual start, Duathalon Pursuit, relay, sprint, and the
50k.

Which races will you be focusing on?
Everyone has to pick the races they think they can do best in, and few, if any
do all of them.
My focus will be on the Pursuit, Relay, and 50k if all goes well.

Anything new in the races for this year?
The Pursuit is very interesting with the changing of equipment half way through
the race. We did one last year in Falun, which I was 21st, and I learned a lot.
The main thing in the Pursuit is not to go out too fast, but still be in touch
with the main group. Your skis are doubly important in this race, and the change
over needs to be practiced, because it's always more hard in a race situation.
You also have to remember it's a 20k.

Where is the US Team currently preparing for the Championships?

Currently the team has been training in Davos, and things overall are going
well. Unfortunately, I just got sick again (for the hundredth time this year),
but am actually not too worried about it. I have had a very good period of hard
training, and feel like my shape is there. At this point in the season some
days off could be a good thing. The main thing I'm trying to do is stay positive.
I'm just glad this didn't happen the first week of the World Championships.

Any word on the conditions in Italy?
Right now in Val di Fiemme there is only man made snow, with about 12k of tracks.
This is OK with me, as I like it hard and fast. We're expecting to big crowds,
probably around 20,000 for the big races.

FasterSkier

Loading Facebook Comments ...

Leave a Reply