Todd Lodwick Nordic combined skier Age: 21 Birthplace: Steamboat Springs, Colorado Residence: Steamboat Springs, Colorado Height & Weight: 5-feet-9, 141 pounds Events: Nordic combined, individual and team TNT Interview (1 MB Quick Time)

Todd Lodwick grew up in the mountains of Colorado, gliding down the slopes in his mom's backpack at age 2, competing in junior events by 11, seemingly slipping toward Nagano and the Olympics from Day 1.

Many Americans wouldn't know Lodwick's sport -- Nordic combined -- any more than they'd know curling. But Lodwick, 21, aims to change that, if not in Nagano then in Salt Lake City in 2002.

"I'd love to have an individual medal at the Olympics. It doesn't matter what color," Lodwick says. But he admits his sights already are set on 2002.

"It's going to be the best," he says.

Lodwick grew up in Steamboat Springs, one of four sons of Jeanne (a former NCAA Alpine champion at Oregon State) and Dennis Lodwick. Todd's folks are still involved in Nordic combined; Jeanne volunteers on the judging tower in Steamboat and Dennis is a national judge.

Todd got his start on the jumping portion of combined right at home in Steamboat Springs, which boasts six jumping hills. Every Wednesday night during the winter, the town has competitions. Lodwick went from that to the U.S. Ski Team, then on to international competition. He went to the 1994 Lillehammer Games, finishing 13th in the individual competition.

In 1996 -- a year after his folks convinced him to stick with the sport after a disappointing season -- Lodwick became the first American in 12 years to win a World Cup Nordic combined event, capturing the World Junior Championship.

Less than a week later, he and teammate Tim Tetreault earned the best relay time ever posted by U.S. skiers, taking second place behind a Norwegian team. The team had a chance at first place, but Lodwick tripped in the last 40 meters of the cross-country lap.

Lodwick struggled some last year, too, especially with his jumping, finishing 30th at the World Championships in Trondheim, Norway. He likened his problems to those facing golfers.

"I totally lacked confidence in my jumping," Lodwick says. "It 's like standing at the [tee] not knowing where the golf ball is going to go."

Each day during the Olympics, CNN/SI will bring you TNT's Athlete of the Day, a detailed look at the personalities that spice up the Games. Check back every day for a new athlete, and be sure to catch TNT's daily in-depth coverage of the Winter Olympics.

Athletes of the Day

• February 20 - KC Boutiette • February 19 - Alberto Tomba • February 18 - Michelle Kwan • February 17 - Eric Bergoust • February 16 - Todd Lodwick • February 15 - Kirstin Holum • February 14 - Thorpe/Sheer • February 13 - Masahiko Harada • February 12 - Todd Eldredge • February 11 - Elvis Stojko • February 10 - Donna Weinbrecht • February 9 - The Forsbergs • February 8 - Picabo Street • February 7 - Cammi Granato • February 6 - Tommy Moe

Watch TNT's coverage of the Winter Olympics!