Scooped! NYSEF SJ/NC Interviews Danielle Lussi

Danielle, we'd like to sit down and get to know the girl behind the graphite and teal suit.Find out what's tickin'. First off, congratulations on being the valedictorian of your senior class and your recent acceptance to Harvard. We hear they have a pretty good ski jumping program. What's your secret to balancing training, travel, and that super-annoying schoolwork?

The key to balancing training, travel and super-annoying homework is definately procrastination. You should always leave things off until the last second because the most quality work is done under pressure. Ok, thats a lie, as a student athlete you should be sure to have great communication with your teachers and let them know well ahead of time when you will be missing their class so they don't take it personally when you're off galavanting on a ski jumping trip. Pluses of the situation also inclued a) starting your homework and missed classwork shinanigans before you leave b) getting a headstart on assignments while away c) people will automatically put their trust in you as a responsible young student.

We're giving you $8 to buy anything you want in the Price Chopper cereal/breakfast foods aisle. What's it gonna be?

Cereal and breakfast food aisle favorites definately include a mixture of Aldi's knockoff Special K with Red Berries, Marshmallow Matey's and of course a highly professional smoothie directly out of the kitchen of Frenette and Lussi Industries. (Call me or Annie for some tips on how to make the most delicious blended creation on the face of the Earth, yes they rival and beat Starbucks Strawberries and Cream Frapaccinos)

Good. This isn't real. We don't have $8 for you to borrow anyway. Speaking of which, rent is due. Do you have $50? Seriously though, what's your favorite jump hill. Why?

Favorite ski jumping hill: Steamboat Springs, Colorado’s lovely K68 for sure. I am currently there and loving every minute jumping at this spectacular venue. [I decided not to tease the up and coming jumpers with Salisbury, Connecticuts’ K64, as it has recently been knocked over and burned to the ground]

Where do you see yourself in 8 years? Sailing in the Mediterranean? Building rockets? Still involved with ski jumping? Give us the big picture.

In eight years I will be just returning from my Europe Tour with my darling sister Nina after finally gave up on try to graduate from college. I will be married with six children and will have finally invented a plug for the oil spill with my engineering talents. Oh and my husband discovered the seed and cultivation methods of the infamous money tree so feel free to come over and pluck a couple bills from the branches.

Okay, good. We have some openings in the Grasshopper Staff for next weekend's camp. We'd be happy to offer you a 3 year internship. It's a great way to get involved at the ground level, plenty of upward mobility. Heck, in a few years YOU could be the CEO of the NYSEF blog. Yes?

One can only dream.

Thanks D$! You rock. Best of luck in the Saturday Series, and of course in Cambridge this fall. We'll be rooting for ya.

NYSEF SJ/NC Blog Exclusive: Mano a Mano with Pete Frenette

Pete Frenette is a busy dude these days. Honestly, he's either housing a bowl of Marshmallow Mateys, jumping, or giving an interview. Thankfully, our NYSEF SJ/NC Reporters managed to gain a sizzlin' interview with the Vancouver-bound Saranac Lake Native, and it's far less serious than the Peter Graves/Universal Sports edition found here:

http://www.universalsports.com/news/article/newsid=402609.html

Your jump career started on the good old K-18 here in LP. Describe your first jump. Were you nervous?

I was definitely a little nervous and one of my first jumps I kind of fell of the bar, so after that I was scared to use the bar starts for a while.

Favorite food to eat before a jump comp? After a jump comp?

I don’t really like to eat much before a comp, but after a comp a big bowl of lucky charms or marshmallow mateys!

Farthest jump?

My farthest jump is 135 meters on Park City’s k120

Favorite hill on the Eastern circuit?

Salisbury is by far my favorite hill and place on the eastern curcuit. The hill is sweet and its always a good time.

Funniest thing you've seen in Europe?

On my first trip to Europe we went to a small restaurant and our waitress had some weird hair, after a while we realized her hair was painted on. We figured it out when we saw some of her hair dripping down her face. The whole team had some good laughs at that.

What are two pieces of advice for young Saranac Lakers who want to follow in your footsteps? Come to Learn to Fly Wednesdays or just play Wii Fit Ski Jump?

I mean Wii Fit ski jumping is a good time, but it will only get you so far. All the young Saranac Lakers need to come to the ski jumps and get some experience on the real deal. It may even help out with their Wii Fit techniques.

Favorite Ben & Jerry's flavor?

The half baked flavor is by far the best!

Couldn't resist. Grip it and rip it next week Pete!

New Blog! Yee-haw!

As if your life didn't need one more phenomenal distraction. You're welcome. We're psyched to launch the spiciest new official blog of the New York Ski Educational Foundation Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined squad. Check up often for updates on training and competition, exclusive interviews with coaches and athletes, and killer pics and vid proving that those rides past K really did happen.

So take the New York Times off of your bookmark list, because you'll get the freshest jumping news here.

Dave & Evan