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Top U.S. Moguls Skiers
The top two U.S. skiers on the team are Hannah Hardaway and Evan Dybvig. Dybvig is a seven year veteran who finished up his best season ever last year, winning the U.S. moguls championship.
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(Dec. 29, 2001)------Shelley Osterloh introduces us to Evan Dybvig and Hannah Hardaway.
At 6 foot four, Evan Dybvig is one of the tallest men on the bumps-- an advantage when maneuvering through moguls, making BIG jumps.
But it also makes his every move easier to see.
Evan Dybig/Moguls: IN MOGULS IN TAKES BEING REALLY PERFECT AND NOT MAKING ANY MISTAKES. AND FREQUENTLY I HAVE JUST LITTLE THING IN MY RUN WHERE IT KIND OF SETS ME OFF, GIVES JUDGES A REASON TO PUT ME IN A SLOT LOWER. I'M WORKING ON MAKING EVERYTHING PERFECT AND STOP MAKING MISTAKES.
Dybvig competed in the '98 Olympics, but to his disappointment, his ski came off on his semi final run.
He's landed on the World Cup podium five times, but somehow Dybvig seems stuck in second gear.
Evan Dybig/Moguls: I THINK I HAD THREE SECOND PLACES LAST YEAR AND THAT WAS GOOD CONFIDENCE BUILDING STUFF. BUT IT WAS ALSO VERY FRUSTRATING BECAUSE IT WAS SECOND PLACE. AFTER ALL, SECOND PLACE, YOU ARE THE FIRST LOSER. SO, I WAS JUST AFTER THAT, I WOULD GO AND TRY TO WIN EVERY EVENT. THAT DIDN'T WORK EITHER. I STARTED CRASHING IN FINALS. [edit] SO I'LL HOPEFULLY LEARN FROM THAT, GO OUT AND DO MY BEST AS OPPOSED TO TRYING TO DO SOMETHING EXCEPTIONAL AND TRY TO BEAT EVERYBODY.
So Dybvig is focusing on improving HIS performance --- adding tougher jumps.
But the real change in Dybvig is personal.
He married Sarah, a Vermont artist, and in September had a baby boy.
Evan Dybig/Moguls: SO FAR IT'S HELPED ME PRIORITIZE THINGS IN MY LIFE, AND REALLY KNOW WHAT'S IMPORTANT. IT MAKES THINGS MUCH SIMPLER.
And in simple terms, he wants no regrets, this Olympics.
Evan Dybig/Moguls: IT BRINGS ME TO TEARS WHEN PEOPLE WIN THEIR GOLD MEDALS. AND I ALWAYS WANTED TO BE ONE OF THOSE ATHLETES WHO COULD PUT IT DOWN RIGHT THEN AND I DON'T CARE WHERE I FINISH FEBRUARY 12TH. I REALLY DON'T. I JUST WANT TO DO MY BEST.
A healthy Hannah Hardaway may be an unstoppable force.
She was sidelined with two knee surgeries in 98 and 99, but came back last season to win her first World Cup on the Deer Valley Olympic Hill.
Hannah Hardaway/Moguls: I'M REALLY PSYCHED. THIS IS MY YEAR. I'M BACK, I'M HAPPY AND I'M REALLY PSYCHED TO BE OUT HERE.
Hardaway says the course is tough, but she likes it.
Hannah Hardaway/Moguls: DEER VALLEY MAKES A REALLY LONG COURSE SO IT'S DEFINITELY AN ENDURANCE. IT'S A LEG BURNER, BUT NOT ONLY THAT, THE COURSE IS FIRM SO YOU CAN'T LET UP AT ALL. SOME COURSES WE CAN KIND OF RELAX IN THE MIDDLE SECTION AND BUILD UP SOME MOMENTUM, BUT HERE, YOU GOTTA BE ON IT THE WHOLE WAY DOWN.
Hardaway is great technical skier with smooth turns and flawless style. She has worked to improve her jumps, going bigger and tougher.
Hardaway started skiing in New Hampshire when she was six, joined the Killington Freestyle team when she was 12, because her older brother was on the team.
But this natural athlete continued to do other sports too, which, she says, helped her ability to handle the pressure of competitive mogul skiing.
Hannah Hardaway/Moguls: I PLAYED VOLLEYBALL, BASKETBALL AND SOFTBALL. I WAS ABLE TO BE UP AT THE PLATE IN AN IMPORTANT GAME, BE AT THE FOUL LINE TO HAVE THE CHANCE TO WIN THE GAME FOR MY TEAM. I WAS ABLE TO GET IN THAT SITUATION A LOT. SO WHEN I'M STANDING AT THE TOP OF THE COURSE, I'M PSYCHED. I KNOW I CAN PUT THE RUN DOWN WHEN I HAVE TO AND I THINK THAT PLAYS A BIG PART.
Hannah Hardaway is a senior at Cornell University and hopes to become a creative director in advertising.
But with her looks, abilities, and an Olympic medal, her first job may be appearing in advertising.
