Ryan Cochran-Siegle exclusive: I still have my best skiing in front of me
The Olympic silver medallist reflects on his Beijing success and explains why he’s getting better with age: “What you might lose physiologically as you age, you gain from the mental side of it,” he told Olympics.com
Alpine Skiing
Ryan Cochran-Siegle keeps his silver medal from Beijing 2022 in a ‘nice little box’ hidden in a closet.
The 30-year-old was the only American alpine skier to step on the podium at the last Winter Games, continuing a family tradition started 50 years ago by his mother Barbara, who took slalom gold at Sapporo 1972.
The Olympic success opened ‘some doors’ back home, he candidly admitted. That included a VIP access to NASCAR races and to the US Open,tennis tournament where he had the opportunity to meet other sports celebrities such as NBA coach Steve Nash.
While the newly earned status of ‘Olympic medallist’ helped his confidence “a little”, ‘RCS’ explains why he continues to be the same person.
In an exclusive interview ahead of the season, he told Olympics.com, "Deep down, I don't feel that it changes anything – I think it's more the recognition that you get out in the outside world from, you know, just that extra interest.”
The Vermont speedster revealed how during the weeks after Beijing he could indulge on gluten-free pancakes along with his girlfriend Kim - “Always topped with Slopeside (the family's own brand) maple syrup - but now he prefers not to dwell too much on the past results: “There was obviously a lot of celebration, but the moments that really matter to me, I think, were just how well I was able to ski,” he said.
“At the end of the day, the reason why I was able to achieve that medal was because of my love for skiing and that passion and that drive. If you focus too much on the results, then you lose that. So it's also important to let your past results be as they are and really focus on the future.”
Ryan Cochran-Siegle: What was key to my Beijing success
In the last couple of seasons, Cochran-Siegle has established himself as one of the most consistent speed skiers on the World Cup circuit collecting 13 top-10 finishes across super G and downhill.
In the 2020/21 campaign, he achieved career-best results with his first World Cup win in Bormio followed by a second place 10 days later at Val Gardena. But in January 2021, his season was ended prematurely by a minor spine fracture sustained in a crash at Kitzbuehel.
RCS faced a long recovery and a change in equipment added an additional challenge ahead of the Olympic year.
“When I got injured, I was at an all-time high in my career with the results that I achieved and obviously with the switch to Head, it was a big learning curve and a lot to overcome. And I accepted that challenge,” he said.
The American believes that overcoming those difficulties was key to his success in Beijing:
“I actually thought the way my season started, it was pretty strong, especially with speed, getting some solid results in Lake Louise and then Beaver Creek. And it wasn't until the end of December going into January, that I felt like I was not able to ski how I wanted to ski.
"So there was a lot of consultation with the support staff at Head, my serviceman Heinz, coaching staff as well, trying to figure out how to get the set-up that I needed. So I think the month of January was a challenge and definitely not how I had wanted to ski during that month. And that, I think, motivated me to figure it out and come up with a better solution.
“So that kind of slowly built into Beijing and I think that's the reason why I was able to be successful, because I knew I could ski well. But I also knew that it took a lot of work to get there. Nothing was given. And, you know, I had to really zone in and find those issues. So this year I think having learnt so much I feel like, 'You know, I haven't figured everything out, but I do feel like I've made a lot of progress and kind of know the direction I want to go.'"
Ryan Cochran-Siegle adds to family Olympic legacy with Super-G silver at Beijing 2022
Ryan Cochran-Siegle: Why speed skiers are able to age so well
In speed disciplines, athletes tend to reach their full maturity later in their career.
Switzerland’s Beat Feuz and Italy’s Dominik Paris won medals at major championships and globes after turning 30.
At PyeongChang 2018, Norwegian ski legend Aksel Lund Svindal became the oldest Olympic champion in the sport at 35 years old.
That’s why RCS, who turned 30 in March, believes there’s still a lot of potential in him.
“I think I still have my best skiing in front of me,” he said.
“As I’m dialling in with the new equipment, I feel like I can be more competitive than I have been. And I think it's about being more consistent day-in and day-out throughout the whole season.
“I had moments in the past where I was really successful and then other days where I was just not there. So I’m figuring all that out. But I do think, as a speed skier, the more you ski these tracks, the more comfortable you get.
“So I also I think that the competitiveness in the speed circuit right now is at a pretty elite level. There's some really amazing skiers and it's a competitive crowd. So I know I definitely have to bring in my best in order to really belong.
“I think the biggest thing is probably just I've had just good sections on every World Cup track now. Whether it's winning training runs or having fast split time races or even just success on race day, I think I've learnt for the most part what these tracks demand and how to ski them fast.
“And it started to become more about just where my mental state is on race day and how to execute to the best of my ability. And I think the reason why speed skiers are able to age so well and remain so competitive is, I think, what you might lose physiologically as you age, you gain from the mental side of it. So it's about carrying that confidence and pushing yourself and being, you know, one of the best in the world.”
Ryan Cochran-Siegle: Eyes on the 2023 Worlds
“I circled the whole calendar,” RCS was quick to reply with a smile when asked about what races he would target this season.
“I think in the past I focused on one race here, one race there. And this year I really want to focus on what's here and now. I think every venue has characteristics that are unique to it and I plan to enjoy those different characteristics and challenges on a weekly basis, rather than trying to just put all your eggs in one basket with one race.”
After missing Cortina 2021 with injury, the American is eyeing a maiden medal at the 2023 Worlds in Courchevel-Meribel, France, 10 years after winning double gold at junior level in Roccaraso, Italy.
“I think it was cool skiing the downhill and Super G last year at the World Cup finals in Courchevel and that track seems amazing,” he said reflecting on his respective seventh and eighth finishes in Super G and downhill in March.
“It seems it could really suit my style as long as I can find the flow and really connect my turns well up to that point. I think that's when I can put myself in a good position to succeed.”
Asked if he would prefer a medal at the Worlds or a globe, RCS didn’t even think before answering.
“For me, for sure. a globe is more ideal than a medal,” he admitted.
“And I've said that even prior to the Olympics, because it represents the entire season and not just a one day kind of... lucky event I guess. We as ski racers, we compete the entire season and recognising the best skier at the end of the year, I think it has a lot more value than the one day success… But I would take either! (laughs)”