MILAN — When I first met Mary Bocock last October, she told me ski racing is fun.
Well, if her ear-to-ear smile is any indication, talking to the world's press after qualifying for the Olympics? That's pretty fun, too.
"It's super exciting," Bocock said. "Honestly, in our last interview, I was kind of the only one around Salt Lake, and I was thinking, why are you interviewing me for the Olympics? But I'm really excited to be here."
She got here through hard work, to be sure, and a little serendipity at a qualifying event where she wasn't actually scheduled to compete.
"The night before, unfortunately… well, fortunately for me," Bocock said with a laugh, "Jackie [Wiles] was very sick, and she pulled from the race, from the super-G, so the coaches put me in."
Carpe diem.
Mary skied well and qualified to be here in Italy.
If Bocock is the rookie of the powerhouse squad, Lindsey Vonn is the veteran. Asked what advice she'd give the first-timer, "Hang on to your chewing gum," Vonn said with a laugh. "My mom would always say that. No, enjoy the experience. Try to soak it all in. This is an incredible experience."
It's advice Bocock seems to be taking to heart.
"I'm just trying to take it all in and get all the experience I can to hopefully be successful here," Bocock said, "and hopefully in more to come as well."
Mary Bocock's career is just getting started.
And as she told me last year, wouldn't it be fun to make it in 2034 when the games come to her backyard?
But that's future-Mary's problem.
