Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Shelley Osterloh Reporting A Utah man was inducted this week into the US Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame. Trace Worthington was competing in the Olympics since the early 90's. But it's his influence on the athletes of today that sealed his spot in the Ski Hall of Fame.
Trace Worthington was a two time Olympian. He won three World Championship medals, two of them gold, and won 37 World Cup events. He was the first man to land a quad twisting triple somersault.
At the height of his career he suffered an illness that caused vertigo, tough to handle when you're flying 60-feet off the snow. But he stayed in the sport coaching and helping other athletes.
Trace Wortington, Inducted to the US Ski Hall of Fame: "A lot of people in business told me when I was younger, ‘do what you know because you are really good at it if you stick with it', and I know freestyle skiing really well."
His knowledge of aerials, moguls and the athletes has made him a regular commentator on NBC Sports and Versus, formerly known as OLN. As an aerialist he inspired many young skiers to take up the sport while he coached others. Ryan St. Onge was just eight when he saw Worthington jump.
Ryan St. Onge, US Aerialist: "That's basically what made me get into aerials, watching him fly high and do awesome jumps. Throughout my whole career he's been there, an unbelievable athlete and an unbelievable person."
Emily Cook, US Aerialist: "Trace is one of my very first coaches back in Lake Placid, so he had me on the trampoline and taught me my very first back full. He's just been so good for this sport and I'm really happy for him."
In 1997 Worthington and teammate Fuzz Federson put together a water ramp show at the Utah Olympic Park as a fundraiser for the team. Now The Flying Aces have a regular weekly performance during the summer, and the show travels on trampoline too. Athletes can keep up their skills while earning money.
Joe Pack, Olympic Silver Medalist: "So it's actually a little bit of competition training as well"
Trace Wortington, Inducted to the US Ski Hall of Fame: "So I get to employ these guys and they get to make money doing what they love to do, its pretty cool."
So whether its through TV commentary, coaching, supporting athlete training or promoting freestyle to a whole new audience, Trace Worthington continues to influence the sport he loves. For that, he is in the US Ski Hall of Fame.
Two other skiers were also inducted into the Hall of Fame: Alpine slalom racer Julie Parisien and former Olympic moguls champion, Jonny Moseley.
