USSA

Father and Son Olympians

by
Whitney Gardner
2014-06-15 10:00
 

Many dreams flourish from a seed that a parent has planted in their child. In honor of Father’s Day, Olympic Halfpipe skier Lyman Currier shares his gratitude for his father who taught him to have passion for the mountains and for skiing. For the Currier family, Lyman's Olympic debut in Sochi, Russia was not their first Olympic experience. Lyman’s father, David, was an alpine downhill racer in the 1972 Olympic Winter Games in Sapporo, Japan. 

Both Lyman and his father were only 19 at their Olympic debuts. Lyman says that his father plays a large role in the success of his career, with advice, experience and understanding that can only be found in the heart of an Olympian. “Everything that I go through, whether its good or bad, he has been through. He has insight on what I should do and how I should handle it, and how to get through it,” said Lyman.

The strong influence David Currier had on his son’s love for the mountains started at a young age when Lyman and his older brother Oren learned to ski. David knew there was something special that sparked Lyman’s love for skiing. “Lyman was only 18 months old and he was so into his gear! He loved stomping around in his boots and skis,” said David. “It was clear that he loved it. That wasn’t the intent at first but he just couldn’t get enough of it, we [David and his wife] just wanted to expose him to the mountains.” The passion and love for the sport was something Lyman developed on his own.

During the Sochi Olympics, Lyman suffered a torn ACL on a run during halfpipe finals. With the support of his dad, Lyman was able to stay calm and work through the tough situation. “My dad helped me keep my head cool,” he said.

David’s proudest moments of his son are not just the high moments of his athletic career, but also the courage and open mindedness he takes into every situation. “Lyman is able to treat both good and bad situations with the same kind of approach and understands he will have really high highs and low lows,” said David. “I’m so proud of him for that. Not being afraid to show emotions in that situation and how pure and honest he is as an individual." Lyman understands the significance of all triumphs and is able to take the positives and grow from every experience, both good and bad.

The support and inspiration Lyman had growing up with his father on and off the ski hill helped mold him into the passionate and successful athlete he is today. Lyman shows great appreciation for the lessons he learned from his father and values his dad for encouraging him to turn his passion into dreams and his dreams into reality.

“Happy Fathers Day Dad, and thank you because I wouldn’t be anywhere close to where I am without you.”

 

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