With her eyes focused on the course ahead, sophomore Sophie Collin races down the slope, the cold mountain air biting at her face. Since she was two-years-old, skiing has been not only a sport, but a way of life, a mindset that helped Collin become a member of the U.S. Ski Team.
Collin’s passion for skiing was passed down from her father and her siblings. Growing up in a family passionate about skiing, Collin quickly found herself on the slopes, where she would discover not only an enjoyment for the sport, but also a drive to excel.
“My dad just put me on skis, and [my passion grew] from there,” Collin said. “[Skiing is] something I’ve always enjoyed, and it became a special thing between me and my father.”
Collin said her love for skiing grew as she started watching the Winter Olympics on television. She was captivated by the speed and precision of the skiers and knew she wanted to race like them. Over the years, her commitment to training her skill and the past six years of racing for the Wilmot Ski Team have helped her develop. Four years ago, she was chosen for the U.S. Ski Team for being one of the fastest skiers in the state, competing at an elite level in three events: Slalom, Giant Slalom, and Super G, Bob Basa, Illinois Ski Team and Wilmot Ski Team Coach, explained.
“Sophie competes in Slalom, which is a little more technical,” Basa said. “There are more gates that you need to navigate through. There’s something which is called Giant Slalom, which is less gates that you have to go through and it’s a faster event. Super G is a speed event, [where you] go as fast as you can with fewer gates.”
Collin excels in all three events, though Slalom and Giant Slalom are her primary focuses. Racing from December to March, Collin competes almost every weekend.
“Races are every single week,” Collin said. “The practices never stop.”
Skiing is also characterized by its unique and difficult practices, she said. Teams train on different terrains to prepare for all potential race conditions, Collin explained.
Some days have dryland practices, which involve strength and conditioning exercises on the slopes, she said. Then, twice a week, the team holds a three-hour practice session on the ski course, she added. During these practices, there is a coach at both the top and bottom of the slope to give feedback to the athletes as a way to mimic a real race, Collin explained.
Skiing is not just solely about competition for Collin, it’s also about personal growth. She believes the sport taught her the values of leadership, teamwork, and resilience.
“Skiing has taught me how to be not only a better teammate, but a better leader,” Collin said. “With the help of my friends and coaches, I’ve grown in skiing and as a person.”
One of Collin’s proudest moments of her ski career came in 2023 when she raced on her father Phillip’s birthday. The night before, he bought her new skis with a sticker on them that said ‘Win Gold With These,’ she said. Collin won two gold medals that day.
“[Sophie winning gold] really was a treat for me,” Phillip said. “She has more than backed that up since. That weekend was also my 60th birthday, and she won two gold medals in women’s slalom. It was a big weekend for her, [and] a life’s high for me.”
Sophie’s success has garnered her more achievements, including qualifying for nationals, an accomplishment that placed her among the top five fastest female skiers in the area. But her journey has not been without its setbacks. Competitions are often pressure-filled, Collin explained. At nationals, six out of seven girls on the team had to finish their race for the team to qualify.
“Last year, I was injured and couldn’t finish all my races, so [qualifying] this year was a huge step for me.”
With over 30 medals and three trophies to her name, Collin’s journey is just beginning. She is focused on her high school years with the Wilmot Ski Team and hopes to ski at the collegiate level.
“I don’t want to just let skiing go one day,” Collin said. “I’d love to make it to the World
Cup, and maybe one day the Olympics.”
