What Makes A Champion: Steven Nyman

From local ski hills to the PyeongChang Olympics, the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) encompasses all athletes that share a passion for skiing and snowboarding. We explore what makes each skier and rider a champion with stories from the U.S. Ski Team, U.S. Snowboarding and U.S. Freeskiing, next to kids winning a NASTAR medal, landing their first cork 7 or joining a club team. Alongside USSA’s mascot Champ, take a look at how all of these athletes strive to be Best in the World.

As we continue to explore what makes USSA athletes champions, we’re learning more than we ever expected. To be a champion is holistic – it goes beyond the medals and the titles.  It’s someone with great character and an undying belief in themselves; it’s someone who loves their sport with an unmatched passion. We are honored to share these stories with you. In this installation, Alpine Press Officer Megan Harrod sits down with Steven Nyman to discuss #WhatMakesAChamp.

A 14-year veteran of the U.S. Ski Team, American Downhiller Steven Nyman (Sundance, UT) is no stranger to adversity. In his career, he has grabbed eight podiums. But, what’s more impressive is that 25 percent of those eight podiums have come in the last two races on the Audi FIS Ski World Cup circuit: Jeongseon—South Korea’s Olympic downhill test event—and the recent Chamonix downhill. Battling through countless equipment issues and injuries, three-time Olympian Nyman is a true testament to the power of teamwork as well as the statement, “patience is a virtue.” 

Prior to last season Nyman dialed in his equipment woes, working closely with longtime serviceman Leo Mussi and his sponsor Fischer, and became the sixth fastest man in the world. It took work to get there. Lots of work. It also took grueling physical conditioning and patience. Lots of patience. Through it all, Nyman built upon an already strong base of character and grace, making him an example for all of his teammates both on and off the hill. 

Steven Nyman and Bryce Bennett, the teacher and the student. (USSA)

Perhaps the most telling example of Nyman’s qualities came last year when World Championships hit home soil at Vail/Beaver Creek. It was downhill day. Nyman hammered, coming down in first place and the crowd went insane. Then Switzerland’s Beat Feuz came down just .03 seconds faster, pushing Nyman into second. Another Swiss, Patrick Kueng, came down and took the lead. Next up: Nyman’s teammate Travis Ganong pushed out of the start. As Nyman and U.S. Ski Team legend Daron Rahlves watched from the finish, Ganong came down in second and bumped Nyman off the podium – by just three hundredths. Soul-crushing as it may have been, Nyman smiled and was stoked to pass on the American Downhiller vest to his teammate. For Nyman, that’s what it’s all about: teamwork. That’s rare in a sport of one. 

Nyman works to foster a team environment because, as he says, “It’s important. I do this – we do this – not only to create a stronger team, but because it’s satisfying when you see your teammate succeed and you think to yourself, ‘I helped him with that. That’s cool.’ And that keeps you going, and contains the jealousy of the group in this individual sport. Knowing that everyone is giving back to each other is huge.”

The second oldest of four boys in a tight-knit ski family, Nyman has grown accustomed to leading and mentoring. On the hill, Nyman sees the role of veterans like himself and Marco Sullivan (Squaw Valley, CA) a little differently now – as mentors to the younger guys. “I’ve attached to Bryce (Bennett),” said Nyman, “I like working with him because he’s on Fischer with me, and it’s cool to see him progress and go through his steps. He’s open to ideas and guidance.”

Off the hill, Nyman is involved with SOS Outreach, which introduces underprivileged youth to outdoor adventures including skiing, snowboarding, rock climbing and mountain biking. Along the way, SOS helps the kids build healthy, active lifestyles through service learning projects, goal setting, life skills workshops, core values and positive adult mentors. 

To put it quite simply, Nyman is a class-act. His path to the podium was never easy. But through it all, he has focused on the positives, acknowledging the importance of having fun, loving what you do and showing gratitude to those around you – both teammates and staff – every step of the way. This gentle giant’s character is something all athletes – young or not-so-young – should aspire to. 

We took some time to sit down with Steven to explore what makes a champion. Here’s what he had to say.

U.S. SKI TEAM: In your words, what makes a champion?

STEVEN NYMAN: Bringing a whole new level to the sport is what makes a champion. It’s not just dominating races. It’s about sharing your information and knowledge – what helped you to get there. Coming from a team that has to act as a team because we’re together on the road all year, that’s important for us if we want to succeed. We have to give back to each other and we have to keep lifting each other up – in whatever aspect of the sport it is. Saying, “this is what I see/this is what I feel/try this…” is important. I do this – we do this – not only to create a stronger team, but because it’s satisfying when you see your teammate succeed and you think to yourself, ‘I helped him with that. That’s cool.’ And that keeps you going, and contains the jealousy of the group in this individual sport. Knowing that everyone is giving back to each other is huge. 

American Downhillers (USSA)

U.S. SKI TEAM: Do you remember the first time you felt like a champion?

SN: The first time I felt like a champion was in 1992 and I was in baggy clothes at a race because my family wouldn’t give me a downhill suit. I really wanted one of those purple white and black Spyder downhill suits, but we couldn’t afford it, and then I came down and got second in the race. I was in my sweater and baggy pants and the kid who won had a downhill suit and I was second by a tenth or something. And my dad said, “Okay, you deserve a downhill suit now.” That’s the moment I first felt like a champion. *

*Though eerily similar, it’s worth noting that Steven had not read teammate and fellow Utahan Jared Goldberg’s answer to this question. 

U.S. SKI TEAM: What is the biggest piece of advice you have for aspiring kids who want to be sitting where you are today?

SN: There’re going to be ups and downs. Focus on the positives. Never forget your strengths, but work on your weaknesses. And, most importantly, always have fun.