November 13, 2009 – It may seem daunting in the extreme to accept an Olympic Head Coach job less with than three months until Games-time, but that’s what American Scott Johnstone, a native of Carlisle, MA has done. Johnstone is from a multi-generation family with deeps roots in the Nordic sports. His brother Hans was a USA Olympian, and his father Dusty, who devoted much of his life to racing and coaching, is responsible for getting hundreds and hundreds of kids to develop a love of skiing and winter.

It seems natural that Dusty’s son would follow in his tracks and Scott has carved out a long coaching tradition born of his own racing career. A knowledgeable and well-respected player we caught up with Johnstone, already knee-deep in preparation for the Games, to get his thoughts on his new position with the clock ticking ever faster to the opening ceremonies. He’s not only looking forward to his first Olympic coaching job, but he also has his sights on Sochi, four years down the road.

Congratulations, was this sudden opportunity so close to the Games a surprise?
Scott Johnstone: Yes, it was a bit of a surprise. I wasn’t expecting a National Team job in an Olympic year.

Tell us how it came about?
SJ: I had been looking to get back into coaching Nordic Combined for about four or five years, but the jobs are few and far between. John Heilig, the High Performance Director for Nordic Combined Ski Canada, and I had been exchanging emails over the years and when he mentioned they were looking for a coach I jumped at the opportunity.

You’ve been coaching in Sun Valley, right?
SJ: I was the Head Coach and Program Director for the Bogus Basin Nordic Team in Boise, ID.

Were you also surprised that the road to the Olympics would come via Canada?
SJ: It isn’t the normal route, I’ll give you that, but I am fine with it. We have a talented young team and it will be exciting to see them develop over the next few years.

What was it like growing up in a skiing family?
SJ: Pretty normal for me. I thought every family got up at 5am on Saturday mornings, piled into the fake wood-sided station wagon, and drove three hours north to go to a jump meet or ski race. If I had known any better I wouldn’t have changed a thing. It was a great way to grow up and our whole family has fond memories that will never fade. I have to hand it to my Mom and Dad though as it must have taken a huge amount of energy and work to spend winter weekends on the road like that – thanks you two.

You competed in Nordic combined in the USA and went to New England College, correct ?
SJ: Yes.

Tell us about your competitive career?
SJ: I started out skiing on trails that my dad and some of his friends had cut on town-owned land and began jumping on a hill that they made at an out-of-business alpine ski area. From there I skied at six Nordic Combined Junior Nationals and several Senior Nationals during the 1980s. In 1988 I started at New England College which had a Division I ski team at the time.

You’re really in the frying pan with this new position. Do you feel overwhelmed or can you balance and put things in perspective?
SJ: My perspective right now is that while it’s very difficult to start a National Team coaching job at the end of October in an Olympic year, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. There are a ton of things coming at me now, and keeping me on my toes. Most of all it’s great to be working with such a dedicated and talented group of athletes. I believe there are great things ahead for the program and I’m excited to be apart of it.

Do you see this as a short term position or might you continue on towards Sochi in 2014?
SJ: Most of our guys will still be in their early twenties in Sochi and I want to be there with them.

You have two athletes who have qualified for the Games – Slick and Wesley – that’s pretty good to start.
SJ: It’s an excellent starting point but we are trying to get two of the younger guys enough points so we can ski in the team event. That’s our goal as a team for the 2010 Whistler Olympics.

What can you do with this program over three months – is any change possible?
SJ: I don’t feel that this is the time for change. At this point in the year we need to stay focused on the upcoming season and get the most out of our guys with what is in place right now.

The truth be told you have very little budget, what can you expect to do in the next three months?
SJ: That is true, we don’t have much money, however we just signed up a new team sponsor, BrokerLink, and that’s a big lift to our program. Nordic Combined Ski Canada is looking forward to a great relationship with them as we head to Whistler and beyond.

What’s the status of development for Nordic combined in Canada?
SJ: We are certainly at a crossroads. I think Nordic Combined and Ski Jumping will create a lot of excitement at the Whistler Games and be able to re-charge the sport in the country. We are very lucky to have two great provincial coaches in Alberta, Max Thompson and Clint Jones. They are doing an excellent job and I think Nordic Combined and Ski Jumping are poised to turn things around here in Canada.

No doubt that competing at the Games on home turf will be tremendously exciting for the team?
SJ: I think all of Canada is fired up for this winter. They have a beautiful set of venues and the world is going to get a great show. Personally I am excited to be a part of it and look forward to our guys skiing their best.

The US Nordic Combined Team is one of the best in the world now, are you surprised by their achievements?
SJ: Not at all. They have a really talented group of athletes, great staff and support. It just proves that you don’t have to be big to be the best.

What’s your current frame of mind with everything swirling around you?
SJ: I’m excited. We have a talented young team, the Olympics coming to our doorstep in 95 days, and there’s lot to look forward to in the future.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and we wish you and the team great success.
SJ: Thanks Peter.