Higginson who?

By Published On: June 12th, 2015Comments Off on Higginson who?

Unless you’ve been keeping a keen eye on results at the NCAA and NorAm levels over the last few years, there’s a name on the 2015-16 U.S. Ski Team roster you probably have never heard of before: Higginson Roberts.

Roberts – who goes by “Hig” – is a 2014 graduate of Middlebury College. After two strong winters of racing both in the U.S. and abroad (most recently as a member of Team America), he has skied his way directly onto the B Team for the coming season.

What sets Roberts apart from the rest of his compatriots isn’t a name that sounds right at home in an episode of the PBS series Downton Abbey, but rather the fact that he has managed to accomplish something that very few before him have: being named to the national team after graduating from college, not to mention never having any prior national program experience prior to this year.

The last such skier to accomplish such a feat was current A Team member David Chodounsky, who has become the United States’ most consistent World Cup slalom skier in recent years after graduating from Dartmouth College in 2008 with degrees in geology and engineering.

The distinction between making the national team while attending school – something that numerous athletes have done in past years – and making it after receiving a degree is what makes Roberts’ journey so unique.

Roberts is eager to cement his place as America’s next great collegiate success story, and he looks forward to earning his first taste of World Cup action in the 2015-16 winter.

0qde1cllspohw2jhAge: 24

Hometown: Steamboat Springs, Colorado

Past clubs: Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, Burke Mountain Academy, Middlebury College, Team America

What was it like seeing your name on the nomination list?

I found out at U.S. Nationals that I would be nominated to the team. Having graduated college and joining Team America for this past season, I was relieved to have earned the opportunity to get support from a national system. My family was the first people I called, and we just took the time to enjoy the moment because they knew how much this meant to me. I then celebrated with a much-needed trip to Mexico following the ski season.

Summer plans?

I have been in Park City for about a month now and am in full swing with my strength and conditioning program at the COE. I leave for a quick Mt. Hood trip to do some drill work and then head down under to New Zealand for a month-long training camp in August. Other than that, enjoying summer in the West riding bikes, hiking, meeting new people, and small trips to visit friends and explore. I will also never turn down a summer country concert.

What have all of your past experiences in skiing taught you about the sport and life?

Having been part of a variety of ski programs, I have really learned that ski racing is as individual of a sport as it gets. I understand myself through the sport and have been able to become very in tune with what I need to do in order to be successful. Going through the club level, to the ski academy, to the NCAA level, and finally to the national team level, I have experienced it all. But my goals and dreams never changed and I understood that although my path was certainly non-traditional, I could still get there if I maintained the passion and work ethic I’ve always had for the sport. Also, I learned never to take a Steamboat powder day for granted, they’re truly unbeatable.

Future plans?

I’ve decided not to really plan ahead too much and enjoy the opportunities I have ahead of me. I am happy to have a college degree under my belt, but otherwise just looking forward to skiing at a higher level and getting my first World Cup starts under my belt.

Thing you are most looking forward to this winter?

Tough question, but to be honest, having a ski technician that can help me with my equipment. Being an independent skier, there was a lot of time spent preparing skis for the next day. It will be nice to have more options with equipment and have someone to help me build the best setup. Also, living off of schnitzel and pastries in Europe – my weaknesses over there.

World Cup stop at which you would most like to race?

Soelden and Levi. Mostly because they are the first stops on the circuit and I am ready to get in there and get to work. Both venues have been staples on the World Cup circuit for a while now and the competition is rearing to go. I’d like to be part of the early season excitement and keep it going throughout the year. I am also going to say Schladming – I don’t think it gets more exciting for a slalom skier.

Any fun facts or hidden talents?

I tried to get more artsy/musical at Middlebury so I joined a Soul Spiritual Choir. Turns out my voice doesn’t belong anywhere near a stage, so they just buried me in the very back of the choir. It was a short-lived career. I have also been told that I can make a mean breakfast sandwich.

Cover photo courtesy of Dustin Satloff/EISA

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About the Author: Sean Higgins

A Lake Tahoe native and University of Vermont graduate, Higgins was a member of the Catamounts' 2012 NCAA title winning squad and earned first team All-American honors in 2013. Prior to coming to Ski Racing Media, he coached U14s for the Squaw Valley Ski Team.