Tommy Ford – U.S. Ski Team

Winter-2012-1859-central-oregon-athlete-profile-bend-tommy-ford-us-alpine-ski-team
Tommy Ford poses with his Fischer skis. / Photo by Dina Boswell

NAME …………………………. Tommy Ford

HOMETOWN ………………. Bend, Oregon

AGE …………………………….. 22

SPORT …………………………. World Cup skier

SKIS …………………………….. Fischer

GOAL THIS SEASON ….. To ski as fast as he can

SKI SCHOOL ……………….. Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation

When did you start competing?

I was younger than 10.

How did you get started?

First I started on my parents’ backs, and then eventually they put the two sticks on my feet. My family and skiers like Bode Miller and Micheal von Grünigen all showed me the many different ways to slide down a hill.

This will be your third season in the FIS World Cup series. What is your goal for the season?

To ski fast. When it comes down to it, that’s all that matters. I also want to produce something creative at least once a week throughout the season; whether it’s digital film, pencil, paint or ink, it doesn’t matter to me.

You’ve had the most success at giant slalom. Is GS your event?

GS and Super G are two events that really explore the terrain of a hill. Floating down a pitch and generating speed in a flowing manner is really accentuated in the two events. Slalom has a more exuberant and wild expression, while downhill is another beast that takes experience to understand.

Where is your favorite place to race?

There is a hill at Mt. Norquay in Banff, Alberta that is always fun and challenging. In Italy, they usually provide Glühwein at the finish, so that’s a plus.

Where are you in terms of skateboard injuries right now?

All healed, except for a broken thumb (from skiing). I have some metal parts holding my thumb together so I’m ready to jump back on the board.

You’re at Dartmouth and juggling racing abroad and school. What’s your schedule look like?

I have about a week of free time in June somewhere … It’s got to be there somewhere. It would be nice if there were more World Cups in the U.S.

Do you get a chance to ski back at Mt. Bachelor anymore?

I try to get a few days whenever I’m back. It’s always nice getting home snow under my legs. A place really shapes a person.

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