Student with a future for skiing

Mountains and trees were but a blur in senior Robert Purcell’s peripheral vision as his skis glided furiously over the snow-packed course at Massanutten Resort in McGaheysville, Va. early this January.

Purcell placed first in the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) Slalom division and fifth in the Giant Slalom division, stunning competition from numerous states in the Southeast.

“In Giant Slalom there was a hard course set with a lot more turns, a lot more than I am used to. When you race in Giant Slalom races, the skis are extra long, so it is really hard to get the skis around the turns. That was a big struggle for me, so I didn’t do as well. But getting first place that day was one of the most memorable moments of the season,” Purcell said. “It was a really big race, and I normally don’t win those, but I had a good day. I put out two really good runs. I was super pumped because I wasn’t expecting the win.”

Though the win was unanticipated, it was but a continuation of Purcell’s success as the captain of West’s snow and ski board team. In 2012, the athlete received the Edward Jones Prep Player of the Week Award after placing first in men’s skiing by winning six out of the seven weekly races in the Catalooche High School Race Series.

Being ranked number one in the 17-20 age group for North Carolina and sixth nationally in the Platinum division of National Standard Race (NASTAR) is clearly impressive. However, to obtain such victories takes time and dedication.

“I went to two different ski camps over the summer. I trained quite a bit, and I went to Oregon to ski. I also went to Copper Mountain Ski Resort in Colorado and trained over Thanksgiving break,” Purcell said. “I had gotten a lot better, but I didn’t know how much better. It was rewarding to use the stuff that I learned in those camps in my recent races.”

After his interest was sparked by neighbors who worked at a ski resort, Purcell began to ski at the age of 8. Although he was in need of a coach, Purcell began skiing competitively about four years ago.

“Everyone else has a coach, but I don’t really have one. I have never had a coach before. I am actually independent and it is nice to have the freedom of not having to be on a team. I like to do what I want and make my own calls,” Purcell said. “But it is a disadvantage. Coaches really know the course and can help you look at it before you race down it.”

With 150,000 anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries occurring in the United States every year, according to the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine, it is not surprising that Purcell also struggled through injuries that have influenced his ability to perform.

“Last year, I wasn’t racing, but I was skiing when I sprained my ACL, and it was the first day in Colorado. I had to sit in the condo for a week,” Purcell said. “A couple of months after that I had ski camp in Oregon in the summer, so it was a big challenge for me to rebuild my knee and work out as much as I could so I could attend the camp. It is a large challenge that I face, keeping in good shape and good health.”

Despite this struggle, Purcell still sees his future in skiing. As a ski instructor at Wolf Ridge Ski Resort in Mars Hill, Purcell is considering working in the ski industry for a career. However, more definite future plans involve skiing for either N.C. State University, Montana State University or Appalachian State University, with a skiing scholarship as a possibility.

“Big Sky Ski Resort is in Montana and that is a really cool ski place. Montana State University would offer a cool environment to be able to learn in with the mountains and scenery,” Purcell said. “Appalachian and N.C. State University only have a ski club while Montana offers more competitive racing opportunities.”

The current season can extend into late March, involving post-season events, depending on the athlete’s performance. The 2013 Cataloochee Interscholastic Race Series is now underway. Although Purcell is not entirely confident about his future with skiing, he says he is secure in his passion for the sport.

“Skiing is a learning experience because I am not on an actual team, so I am learning new things every day. Each day I am trying to find out how certain events work and how the point system works, and if I can advance on and which races I can or can’t compete it. The whole thing is a bit confusing,” Purcell said. “My dad comes to every race, and so my parents began to ski when I began to ski. I started doing this when I was young, and I really enjoyed it. I have always loved skiing.”