Robert Whitney (24) was as a junior and young senior considered one of the most talented and promising young skiers since Bill Koch. Top-ten results at the Junior Worlds and top five at the US Senior Nationals had made him a skier that the US ski-community discussed as a bright hope in the years leading up to the 2002 Olympics. Things didn’t work out for Rob in the 2002 season. He didn’t make the Olympic team and retired to pursue other interest at age 22. He is now making a comeback to ski racing and is in this interview talking about why he retired, what he has done the last couple years and what he learned from the past:
. I placed in the 50’s, and was never satisfied with my results.<br />
As a junior I made three World Junior teams (1997-99). In 98,I<br />
placed 8th and 21st. In 99, I placed 7th and 20th. At the time, we raced only the distance events. Sprints were just beginning to come onto the scene.</p>
<p><B>When was your last serious race and how did it go?</B><br />
U.S. Nationals, before the Salt Lake Olympics. Everything that could go wrong did go wrong.</p>
<p><B>Why did you retire, what have you done in the mean time and what is bringing you back?</B><br />
(laughing…) Yeah, I retired at the old age of 22. I threw in the towel in January of 2002, after I knew my Olympic dream was no-longer. I decided that an education was more important, as well as a needed breather from the sport. I was pretty much burnt out, disgusted, bitter, and swore I would never race again,…. ever. I have been finishing up my undergraduate degree at Montana State University. I will graduate in May 2005. For the past two years at school, I have been taking heavy class loads, studying too much, resort tele skiing plenty, and basically doing everything but lots of training. Late nights and pizza were the norm. I’m getting back in shape, I’ve shed considerable weight, and I’m anxious to race again.</p>
<p><B>Where are you training these days and what type of races are you planning on doing this winter?</B><br />
I am training in Bozeman, Montana where I am finishing up school. I was coaching part time for the Bridger Ski Foundation last winter, when a friend dragged me to a citizen race in Jackson Hole. I placed third, directly off the sofa. That is when I decided enough was enough, and that I missed the camaraderie of the ski community too much. I was very fortunate to have been picked up by Andy Gerlach and will be racing for the Subaru Factory Team this winter. I will mainly focus on west coast marathons, U.S. Nationals, and the Utah Super Tours races.</p>
<p><B>What's your short and long term vision/goal for your racing this second time around?</B><br />
I am training and racing for the pure love of the sport. Period. Racing for me…not because others have huge expectations for me. I felt too much of that kind of pressure leading up to the 2002 Olympics. Instead, I will go one season at a time, but I would not rule out a run at the 2006 winter Games…we’ll see how this season progresses.</p>
<p><B>Are you doing anything different than in the past?</B><br />
Yes, I am doing many things differently. I am ski racing for fun and for the love of the sport, rather than as a job. I am completing my education as I enter my first season back. I am coaching myself, but I do consult and talk about training ideas with several coaches. I plan my own workouts, but skip them when school gets hectic or when I just plain don’t feel like working out.</p>
<p><B>Any advice for ambitious juniors starting with college skiing or training full time?</B><br />
Whatever others say to you, GO TO COLLEGE. Don’ spin your wheels taking a year or two off to train full time. Take advantage of those ski scholarships, make friends, and get your education completed in 4-5 years. College is a good avenue…. I wish I had done it that way. Race against the Europeans and Scandinavians. Get the degree first, then pursue the ski racing lifestyle. (that's my opinion….)</p>
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