With the competition and holiday seasons overlapping, U.S. Freestyle Ski Team athletes rarely get to spend Thanksgiving at home. But, whether they are preparing turkey with their family or working up an appetite training with their teammates, there’s a lot to be thankful for. We asked a few of the athletes what they’re most thankful for this season, and here’s what they had to say.
I am thankful for the doctors and physical therapists that somehow keep my body functional despite my affinity for injuries. I am also thankful for friends, family, and puppies. – K.C. Oakley
I am thankful for my family and friends for being so loving and carting in all that I do. I'm also thankful for the opportunity to follow my dreams with skiing. I'm thankful for my cat, my dog, and mac n' cheese. – Tess Johnson
I am thankful for powder days.
I am thankful for pecan pie, ketchup, mac n cheese, and maple syrup (not mixed together though).
I am thankful for my family, my friends, my dog, my sponsors, ID One USA, Poc Sports, the U.S. Ski Team staff and athletes, Park City and USSA. – Nessa Dziemian
I am thankful for my family, my awesome team and my awesome coaches! I'm also thankful for sweet jumps and soft landing hills! And last, but certainly not least, I am thankful for the support to be able to do what I do - a bunch of flips and twists on my skis. – Mac Bohonnon
I am thankful for the snow- those fluffy white puffs that fall from the sky! Despite my best efforts, I can’t make it snow, no matter how hard I try. It’s magic. I am happiest when I look outside the window and see flakes drifting down. It reminds me how special our world is and how lucky I am to be alive with family and friends to share it. Yay for friends on a powder day! – Sophia Schwartz
I am thankful for friends and family. They support me, love me, and make me look forward to coming home after a long ski trip.I am thankful for my home. As much as I love traveling the world to train and compete, it is such a great feeling to be able to come back to a cozy home surrounded by people I love. I am also very thankful for Bryon [Wilson]. He is there for me both on and off the road. It has been such a blessing to be able to travel the world to train and compete with my boyfriend.
I am thankful for our coaches. Our coaching staff is awesome! They are knowledgeable, caring, and work hard to help us achieve our goals and dreams.
I am thankful for our medical staff that keeps us healthy and on our skis! These individuals play a huge role in overcoming both the daily fatigues of our sport, as well as the heart breaking injuries we sometimes encounter.
I am thankful for my sponsors - Elan, Dalbello, UVEX, and Roo Epic, as well as the team sponsors, for supporting me and my dream. – Mikaela Matthews
I am thankful for my parents and all the support they give me and the competitive drive they gave me as a child. I am also thankful for the support team (doctors, physical therapists, and mental coaches) that travel with us to make sure that we are feeling good and our body's are able to handle what we do. The coaches are also great, and I would not be able to do things as well as I can without there feedback. My friends and family that I can call up and have support from whenever I need it, and my fans that make me feel like I am doing something important. It always makes me happy when I can inspire people. I am also thankful for snow, mountains, all the training opportunities we get, and all the small things in the world like water and food that make life so enjoyable. – Heidi Kloser
