Morgan Arritola (USST) ©Lance/Danny Parrish file photo
So how is your summer training going? I see you recently won a 10-mile running race…
Morgan Arritola: Summer training is going well, I’m in New Zealand right now and it’s pretty awesome to be skiing in July in mid-winter conditions here. Other than that things are great. I have been playing soccer every now and then too which is fun and the running race [she won] was pretty good too.
Last year was such an encouraging season for you…..how did it all come together so nicely?
MA: Actually I didn’t ski as well as I would have liked. It was a good year, but not great. I think it came together with hard work and great support from the team. The Nordic World Champs was a great experience and one that I hope to continue to have again and again but I don’t want to just go to the races to be there – I want to be competitive in them.
What was your favorite moment from last year?
MA: Watching Kikkan [Randall] win sprint silver at Nordic Worlds was really cool, but to be honest I really love hanging out with the team. It is such a great group of people so even something as simple as having dinner with everyone can be really fun. I am lucky enough to say that I have too many good times and to pick just one is impossible.
Looking towards Vancouver what are you thinking about and hoping for…..?
MA: I’m hoping to race well in the World Cups before the Games and continue to learn as a skier and a racer. I’m also hoping to make the Olympic team and be as prepared and confident as I can be going in to those races. Ultimately I’m focusing on the day-to-day things that make great performances possible.
Will these Games present somewhat of a “home field advantage” and if so why?
MA: In some ways I guess so. We’ve been training and racing quite a bit up there over the last two years but I have to say I would favour courses with more hills. I am also not one to suggest an advantage like that because the strongest skiers can perform well anywhere.
What kind of course is ideal for you?
MA: I would prefer a course with harder climbs than those at Whistler but at the end of the day it’s still a race and I don’t agree when people say a course is too easy. I have never finished a race – no matter where the course – and said, “wow, that was easy.”
Do you have a favorite course?
MA: I like racing at Soldier Hollow in the USA, and in Europe places like Lahti and Davos. But it’s hard to say which is my favourite because there are so many great places we get to race.
What equipment do you use?
MA: I use on Fischer skis, Alpina boots, and Swix poles along with all of the US team sponsor equipment.
You’ve skied with Rick [Kapala] at the SVSEF, they have a wonderful program… tell us your thoughts on it.
MA: SVSEF is a great program and provides opportunities to many great skiers. I have not worked with Rick in a while and he’s now more of a good friend and advisor as opposed to my coach. I can say, without a doubt, that without the Sun Valley program and Rick Kapala I would not be where I am today.
What’s the most interesting place you have traveled to and why?
MA: Again that’s a really hard question. I like experiencing new cultures and ways of life. I think my first trip to Europe really opened my eyes to a new world but now that I have been a lot of places there are different things I love about many different countries. It’s a great thing to become submerged in to a new culture and language and landscape and have to make it home.
Who was your role model growing up?
MA: My mom has played a big part of my life. She never told me no and always helped to make things happen for me. I grew up loving competition and always dreamed of the Olympics. No matter the sport I just remember watching athletes be great and I wanted that.
What is your idea of perfect bliss?
MA: Being happy and being around good people no matter where you are or what you are doing.
Favorite food?
MA: I love sandwiches and Mexican food
Favorite junk food?
MA: Chocolate chip cookies and carrot cake but I don’t really think that’s junk food…it’s fuel.
What are you listening too these days?
MA: I actually just lost my iPod on the airplane which was a big bummer but I like a variety of music – Tool, Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nirvana, Michael Franti, and a lot of others.
Who is the person you most admire?
MA: Again, way too hard of a question.
What is the best part of your skiing experience?
MA: Doing what I love every day with great people.
What needs work in your repetoire of skills?
MA: A lot, there is always room for improvement and if you don’t see it then you aren’t looking hard enough. I can be stronger physically and mentally, I can have better technique, I can recover better…the list goes on and I work at it every day.
Where do you see yourself ten years from now?
MA: I have no idea and I wouldn’t want to know if you could tell me.
Do you want to coach others one day?
MA: Maybe.
Do you have a pre-race routine or ritual?
MA: Not really, I am not superstitious. I think it’s a bad thing because you can’t always do a routine and then are you not going to race [or have a bad race] because you couldn’t do it?
What is the trait you most admire in people?
MA: Persistency, stubbornness, and kindness.
Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts – we wish you all the best this season.
MA: Thanks