- Americans Paula Moltzan and Jackie Wiles, bronze medalists in the team combined Alpine skiing race on Wednesday, are influencing the next generation as mentors.
- Moltzan and Wiles have emphasized teamwork to their younger teammates despite the individual nature of Alpine skiing.
CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy — They're Olympic medalists. They're also the veterans of the U.S. women's ski team.
KSL sat down with Paula Moltzan and Jackie Wiles one day after the pair earned bronze on the Alpine slopes in a team competition. They spoke about the influence they have on the next generation of Alpine skiers — which the skiers outwardly recognize.
During a press conference last week, the line of questioning turned to leadership. Two of Wiles' teammates said they look to her. When asked about that, Wiles laughed.
"Just because I'm the older one, I think," she said.
Don't be so sure.
Alpine skiing is an individual sport that is competitive. For one person to win, others have to lose. It can lead to dog-eat-dog, but that is not the case with this squad. In the time KSL has observed them in Italy, they seem incredibly tight and invested in the success of their teammates.
"I feel like I try to just lead by example," Wiles relented after being prodded further about her role as a mentor. "I was lucky that there were so many amazing women that came before me that I was able to learn from, and I feel like that really set the tone of the way that our team operates. And it's just been cool to try to, like, emulate that and bring up the younger generation and help them as much as well."
Moltzan, who calls Vermont home, said she embraces the opportunity to be a leader — and there is opportunity. There is a large age gap in the squad.
"We have a birth year, '94, all the way to 2005," Moltzan said. "An 11-year age gap, which is so crazy."
Eleven years. Different generations. Different playlists. Same podium.
"I think it's a perfect mix," Moltzan said. "Maybe I'm more serious than the rest of my teammates, but my younger teammates like to keep it light and fun. I think that just really balances our team out super well."
