After months in Europe training rigorously towards big goals, rest and recovery are vital in order to achieve those goals come wintertime. For many of our athletes, home is a great place to do that. This series will take a glimpse into our athlete’s lives at home before the 2019-2020 season kicks off in late November- the calm before the storm.
Below is our interview with Women’s Ski Jumping Team member Nina Lussi (Lake Placid, NY) about her short time at home. Enjoy!
How long were you in Europe before returning home?
I was in Europe for two months.
What are the things you miss about America or your hometown while gone?
I always think about the lake (Lake Placid) and to be out here water skiing and spending time with my family. It’s just really nice out here.
I miss the activities that are accessible to me at home and how many things I can do in such a short period of time.
For example, today I woke up early and had a figure skating lesson with a friend of mine. This was really fun for me since I haven’t been on real figure skates since I was six. I only had a few crashes. My brother is also home so that’s really great. Since none of his friends are around he actually went golfing with me. We went 30 minutes south where the leaves are peaking and played 9 holes.
What’s the first meal that you eat upon returning home. Is it homecooked or do you eat out?
My mom is a really good cook so whatever she makes is perfect. My first night home she made a fall bisque with butternut squash, chicken, and quinoa.
Do you have a favorite food or coffee spot at home?
I like to spend time at home, I don’t go out that much when I’m here. Plus having a refrigerator stocked by your parents is pretty great.
Tell me something about your hometown that people probably don’t know.
The ski jumps in Lake Placid just got remodeled which is exciting. I got to climb up there which was very special. I thought the jumps were going to lose their character, so I was very worried- but I can tell it’s going to be great.
I have a personal connection to the K90 because I have jumped it so many times, but I don’t know the K120 as well. Seeing a track on the K120 is really wild. That big hill has always been there, but I’ve only jumped it once. I was 15 years old at the time and not a really great ski jumper yet.
Right now, I’m trying to see their schedule for opening. The World Cup is obviously my focus but I need to be here for the big hill opening! I ran into Jay Rant the other day who told me he was the first person to jump Lake Placid’s big hill the last time it was rebuilt. It would be really cool to be the first person to jump that hill.
What are the key things you are focusing on as an athlete during this time?
I struggle a bit with flexibility, so that’s why incorporating hot yoga into my schedule here has been important.
How important to you is this “quiet time” before the season or after a long trip?
I think I undervalued this quiet time at home in the past. I always thought it was too much travel going home and not worth it.
Have you started to think about or visualize winter?
I’m definitely thinking about winter already. The changing leaves around here signifies winter is on the way. I tend to think about things in blocks and the Lillehammer World Cup is certainly within that first block.
What do you think about when you visualize the upcoming season? Which thoughts excite you?
Lillehammer, Norway is one of my favorite places in the world and that’s where our World Cup starts. It’s a lot easier to get the ball rolling with good results at the beginning of the winter so the thought of that excites me. I’m a huge believer that if I’ve put in the work over the summer, winter is a time to enjoy.
