September 11, 2009 (Steamboat Springs, CO) – Johnny Spillane grew up two blocks from Howelsen Hill in Steamboat Springs. The hill has always towered over the town, and has been a beacon calling out young people to test their mettle on this wondrous jump, and over time, it’s easy to see why its attraction is so powerful. Spillane is one of those athletes.

He was born November 24, 1980 in Steamboat and started jumping at age 11. You may recall Spillane was part of the historic Junior Nordic Worlds combined relay team that won gold in 1999 in Austria and was part of the silver medal winning US squad a year later at the Junior World in Slovakia. In 2003 he became the first American Nordic skier to win a gold medal at the Olympics or Worlds, winning the world sprint title in Val di Fiemme, Italy. This season he is aiming for his fourth Olympic Team in 2010, and spoke with us about what lies ahead with straight forward honest answers on the sport, his training hours per year, and what makes a good friend…

How did you get into the Nordic sports?
Johnny Spillaine: Growing up in Steamboat there’s a big Nordic culture and a history in Nordic Combined and ski jumping, so it was natural to want to be involved from a young age.

Who was influential in getting you into skiing?
JS: I’ve been around Nordic Combined skiers from a young age because I grew up at the Lowell Whiteman School. I was able to watch guys like Dave Jarrett and Ryan Heckman and train and go to the Olympics and I guess that’s motivated me to try to do the same.

You’ve been on the USST for many years now…how have things changed?
JS: There have been many changes, but I think that since I’ve been on the team, it has become much more professional. With the new COE we have some of the best facilities in the world, from weight rooms to sports science and also sports medicine to help injured athletes recover.

What did it feel like to win Nordic Combined gold at the World Championships in 2003?
JS: It was a great feeling! It had been a good season for me and to have it all come together on the big stage was amazing.

How do you view it now that some years have passed?
JS: It’s something that I feel that I’ve been chasing to get back to. I’ve had a number of setbacks from injuries and I’ve had some good results since then, but I have not made it back to that kind of level and it’s something I strive to achieve everyday.

The US Nordic Combined team is among the best in the world – that must feel good.
JS: It feels really good, we have worked hard to get to this point and we have pushed the limits of what is possible from a training stand point. It is nice to see all of the hard work pay off.

What are you hoping for at Vancouver 2010 as a team and for you personally?
JS: My goal is one individual medal and to help the team get on the podium.

How long do you see yourself in this sport?
JS: It’s hard to say. I will keep doing it as long as I still enjoy it and as long as I can scratch out a living!

How many hours a year do you train?
JS: A lot! I think my total hours for last year were around 850.

Who are your real life hero(s)?
JS: John Elway, Chuck Adams.

What do you dislike most about international ski traveling?
JS: The actual travel – I don’t like flying and the time spent away from home.

What do you like most about it?
JS: Competing, I love competition and the atmosphere it creates.

What is the quality you most admire in a friend?
JS: Loyalty, my best friend likes me no matter what!

What’s your favorite meal?
JS: A really good rib eye steak is hard to beat. I also like sushi a lot.

What is your favorite movie?
JS: The Big Labowski.

Favorite book?
JS: 1984 and The Monkey Wrench Gang are tied.

Your idea of a perfect day?
JS: Either fly fishing or archery hunting all day followed by a good meal with my wife.

If you could have dinner with any person-living or dead-whom might you select?
JS: Albert Einstein or John Lennon.

We wish you a great season in 2010.
JS: Thanks.