Kris Freeman running out some boards...

The interview was to start in room 112 of the Lord Aberdeen Hotel in Silverstar – Newell, Koos and Johnson’s room.  But everyone was asleep so I turned the sound off on the TV and started playing Grand Theft Auto.

This game is incredibly intricate and engaging.  It is also violent and sexist – but the whole thing is absurd enough that in my opinion it is basically harmless.  I guess it is just another thing that is easy to blame our societal ills on, sort of like blaming obesity on McDonalds.  But the responsibility lies closer to home.  You gotta be smarter than the hamburger, smarter than the game – and if you aren’t it isn’t really the game or hamburger’s fault.

Anyway.  The guys woke up soon and wanted to watch some Beavis and Butthead.  Yeah, we’re working hard to improve ourselves in our free time.  Which is actually true.  Most the guys have some cool hobbies beyond GTA and Beavis.  Newell is learning German, Koos is writing a book, Carl has been applying to Law School… I wax skis…

So the interview was postponed further because I cannot compete with Beavis and Butthead.

So – we went down to the coffee shop, which was perfect because the Swiss, Swedes, Canadians and some others were there.

PV (Pete Vordenberg) – So Torin, what’s on your mind?

TK (Torin Koos) – I’m really looking forward to this cappuccino.  I’m stoked about the new Team Today Book.

AJ (Andrew Johnson) – He he he, huh huh huh… (sounding like Beavis and Butthead) “Ahhh, you called it, dude”.

Actually my mind is clear.  I feel good, relaxed...

TK – It’s pre-race, pre-world cup.  This is the first world cup of the year.  It’s like the pre-season has come to an end.

PV – Jon (Dr. Jon Finoff) what do you have to say?

Dr. Jon – about what?

AN (Andy Newell) – Jon, what’s it called when you twitch right as you’re falling asleep?

Dr. Jon – Myoclonic jerk.

PV – what makes it happen?

Dr. Jon – no one knows.

Who is that guy (guy with long white hair, ski tights)

AJ – that’s Dag, god father of extreme skiing….

PV – really?

AJ – yep, he’s the first speed skier ever, the first extreme skier… he is a legend.

PV – Phil (Phil Bowen), it’s the eve of the world cup, what’s on your mind?

PB – I’m nervous, I’m here shooting for Competitive Image, and I want “the shot.”

PV – what’s “the shot?”

PB – I want pain, I want an image of suffering.

Vincent - FRA 

AJ – you’re looking for a “Phil Liggett (announcer for Tour De France) moment.”

PV – what’s your favorite Phil Liggett saying?

AJ – when someone is really hurting I’ve heard him say, “he’s just trying to stop the rot.”

PV – Justin (Justin Wadsworth – he is here to help us wax) what are you thinking the night before the World Cup?

JW – I just hope I don’t screw up the wax.

PV – Sara (Sara Renner), what’s on your mind?

SR – I was thinking about Dag (Dag is across the table).  Did you know he was the stunt double for James Bond in all the ski scenes?

PV – No!

SR – Yes.

Pete and Sara (notes for interview on napkin) 

BS (Beckie Scott) – A long time ago my coach wanted to make me a better downhill skier.  So he set me up with a lesson from Dag.  He took me to the top of the Silver chair lift, at night.  He said, “now we’ll get rid of that fear of speed.”  He told me to point them straight downhill and just go.  So I did.

PV – did it work?

BS – It made me even more scared of down hills.

PV – Milaine (Milaine Theriault), can I interview you for Team Today dot org?

MT – Are you making this up?

PV – Serious.

MT – Today, what?  Is that a real site?

PV – never mind.

MT – is that a real mustache?

BS – Have you interviewed the Swiss?

PV – Seriana (Seriana Mischol), can I interview you for Team Today?

SM – What?

PV – What’s on your mind?

SM – I don’t really speak English.

Editor’s note – Seriana speaks near perfect English.

PV – Andy (Newell), what’s on your mind?

AN – I have some new hats for my film company.  (Andy is wearing this cool black foam baseball/trucker hat with the logo for Xski Films in white).  My motto used to be “If you ride a foamy you ain’t my homie”, but I’m thinking my new motto is “if you rock the full-foamy then you’re my homie.”

I’m fired up for the races.  It’s going to be good.  This will be a different deal – they’re qualifying 30 racers for the heats rather than 16.  I think that’s a good thing.  It’s going to be about going fast in the rounds.  I feel really good about it.

PV – no movie this year?

AN – I might do a promo movie for Fischer’s Jib Skate.  I don’t know I might take some more footage in the spring.  I’ll see if I can get some big jumping in.  And I think I will.

At this point we head over to play a few games of pool.  The Norwegians are there, just hanging out chatting before dinner.  But the interview session is over.  We’re really serious about pool.

Tune in tomorrow…

Torin Koos.

Pete And Trond testing skis for AJ.

While I (Pete V) have been taking most of the shots for Team Today I am very grateful to have the help of Phil Bowen who is shooting for Competitive Image (www.competitiveimage.us) helping me with images up here in Canada.  It's too stressful for me to be shooting at these events.  These guys take great shots.  Thanks!