Athlete profile: Kyle Rasmussen

Posted: Tue February 3, 1998 at 5:00 PM ET

Athlete notes

The long alpine skiing season has been sometimes difficult for downhiller Rasmussen, who loves being around his grandfather's California ranch with his family...after winning two World Cup downhills in his breakthrough 1995 season, Rasmussen's career stalled last year when he ripped an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee at a World Cup race in Wengen (VANG-en), Switzerland -- sight of one of his victories the year before..."At first, I thought my shot at an Olympic medal was shut," says Rasmussen, but the family-man racer found positive elements despite a severe injury that required a surgery...it was a "blessing in disguise" says Rasmussen, who spent a lot of time outside of the rehabilitation coaching his seven-year-old son Anthony's peewee baseball team or in the swimming pool with three-year-old daughter Kayley..."I was so happy to be able to spend so much quality time with my family," says Rasmussen. "In the first half of the season I felt burned out a little bit, so if I was going to be injured, the timing was perfect"...and as important as the time spent with his family, the rehab went better than expected...Rasmussen confidently says, "I'll be 100 percent ready for the Olympics"...Rasmussen is a passionate fisherman and was considering a professional bass fishing career after skiing is done, but says, "I don't think my wife (Linda) would let me. I've been away from home for long enough. I think I will settle for the local competitions here and there"...nicknamed "Cowboy" Rasmussen, his family lives on a 100-year-old California ranch with 600 cattle...Rasmussen used to steer the cattle to the Sierra Nevada mountains to graze...he still loves ranching, but has been avoiding horseback riding as not to irritate his knees... since the 1995 season, Rasmussen has been regarded as one of the best American men's skiers along with AJ Kitt and Tommy Moe...these three has been the stable on US team since the late 1980s and heading toward their third Olympics (fourth for Kitt)..."It's been great to have competitors like AJ and Tommy around," says Rasmussen. "We are supportive of each other, but very competitive at the same time"...all three were at the wedding ceremony of another longtime teammate Craig Thrasher, who just retired..."In a way, it was a retirement party. I realize that it's been a long time, and it's been great," reflects Rasmussen. "All good things come to the end"...but many top skiers are either in their late 20s or early 30s..."Tommy has several years left," says Rasmussen. "And for me, this is the first time I feel I have a chance for a medal"...the experiences from two previous Olympics help build confidence..."Even at the Olympics, pressure is something you put on yourself," says Rasmussen. "I like the Olympic pressure now, I think I thrive on it"...although he has yet to ski into the top 10 as of the new year, the focus for Rasmussen this season is entirely on Nagano..."I will do everything to be prepared," says Rasmussen. "Then I want to really enjoy this one last shot at an Olympic medal"...