UP CLOSE & PERSONAL
Erik Guay - Quick with the quotes
First on snow memory:
Age four sliding with family at Tremblant. Sniveling in the cold (-30°C). I'd straighline the hill for the warmth of the lodge. A natural downhiller.
Always on hill:
Dad was club coach, ultimately training the National tech sqad, and mom ski instructed, so we were racer tykes.
Nice work at the Nationals:
Showed up nursing a pulled quad (thigh) from ridin the back seat in a technical race the week before. Wasn't supposed to race the speed events. Whistler weather cooperated, snowed for days providing the delay I needed to heal. All downhill from there.
Tough track:
First time on the Dave Murray downhill. Weasel workers lived up to their rep delivering a sweet track. It flowed and I experienced a week where it all went my way.
Discipline you focus on:
All four of them.
That's unique:
Especially in Canada. Not practiced since Jungle Jim Hunter back in the 70's. Speed events utilize the same skills at G/S, you just have to deal with gates coming at you a hell of a lot faster.
Your choice:
Yeah. Always been dad's mentality and it appears to be working. Coaches agree. Austrian and Norwegian teams have seen success with this philosophy. Love to be the next Eberharter.
Race strategy:
First full season on the World Cup. Steep learning curve. Looking for a strong season opener at Lake Louise. Goal is to regularly crack the top 30.
Lake Louise track:
Run it for five years. Good speed (140kph) up top. Tight and technical middle. Need to carry speed into bottom section or you're toast. Good track to get the feet wet.
Secret to going fast:
Don't fall.
No kidding:
Conditioning, equipment and waxing is getting more refined, making it very competitive. Course setting hasn't changed so it comes at you faster, making the slightest mistake deadly.
Tunnel vision:
Visited GM's wind tunnel testing facility in Detroit. Same one used by Nascar. Very cool. They crank it to 100kph and then you play with the wind finding the most aerodynamic tuck. Confirmed my positioning is bang on.
Freakiest thing about downhill:
Crashing. Heard it's like stepping out of your car at 140kph. Gotta hurt. Fortunately, haven't experienced it. Looking to delay the experience as long as possible.
The appeal:
The thrill of control riding the edge of disaster.
Navigating rollers:
St.Moritz, site of this years world championship's has six big jumps. Try to suck em' up, stay close to the ground and float the landing. Don't always gt it right.
In the quiver:
All Atomic. Downhill: 215-217cm - Super-G: 210cm - G/S: 195cm - Slalom: 155cm. Feet wrapped in a custom Atomic race boot.
Former team member you most respect:
Cary Mullen. Natural leader. Disciplined, fit and knew how to win.
Max squat:
Four plates or 405lbs.
Describe yourself:
Dedicated, highly motivated and athletic. Easy going, take it as it comes. Messy room but life's in order.
Personal style:
James Bond. Suave and cool under pressure.
Memorable snow story:
Saalbach Downhill last year. Crazy. Every training run someone on the team skirted disaster. Only pack so many pair of boxers. We all did laundry that week.
Mentor:
Dad Conrad. Thanks for showing me the way, giving me the opportunity. You rule.
Best of the job:
Exotic destinations. But, best girls are back home.
Worst job:
Grunt construction work. I'm keeping my day job.
Last book read:
"Winter's Heart" by Robert Jordan.
Riding park:
Used to live in the park. Flew with the big boys. Continue to race skier cross off season and remain undefeated.
Terrain you love to mow:
Rough and tumble. Anything technical and tough to ski.
Tunes in the MP3:
Hip Hop.
Income:
Team takes care of everything. Spending cash comes from prize money, personal sponsors and government funds as a carded athlete. Sweet life.
Money's no object. First three purchases:
Ferrari Enzo, castles in Tremblant and Whistler and a personal A-Star.
Dream date:
Jessica Simpson. No relation to marge.
Best pick up line:
How U Doin? Works for Joey on "Friends".