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Shelley Osterloh ReportingGrowing up in Utah has many advantages, especially if you have dreams of one day becoming an Olympic skier.
Ted Ligety grew up in Park City, taking full advantage of all that the ski town has to offer. Now he's hoping to make his dreams come true in Torino.
Ligety says he has been skiing as long as he can remember. He got his first taste of the sport when he was just two-years old, and he began racing when he was 11. He's loved ski racing ever since, along with his younger brother who now skis on a team at Dartmouth University.
Ted Ligety: "My parents started both of us skiing very young, and got us started in the local ski programs at a young age. And from there, we both developed a passion for the sport."
At 21, Ligety has become one of the top competitive ski racers in the world. He earned his first World Cup medal in December at the Beaver Creek, Colorado slalom. Now he's hoping for success in Torino.
Ted Ligety: "I hope to ski fast and put everything on the line. It would be cool if a medal came out of it, but if it doesn't, it's also a good experience for me."
And although Olympic athletes have to devote nearly all of their time to their sport, Ligety makes sure to leave time for his other passion -- waterskiing! Ligety started waterskiing about five years ago, and he says it actually helps him to be a better snow skier.
Ted Ligety: "I think it helps just pushing yourself. Being out there and trying to lay it over as hard as you can and just trying to push your limits helps you on the hill, and it's definitely good for testing yourself."
Ligety will be put to the test in Torino when he competes in the slalom. He says he also tries to find time in his busy training schedule to play tennis, soccer and mountain bike.
Also, Ligety has a sense of humor; he now has what they call a head gear sponsor. His helmet used to tout "MOM AND DAD" as his chief financial backers, now it says Park City on his lid.
