Meet sparkly and talented Shannon Bahrke from Tahoe City. She is one of the best US Mogul Freestyle skiers and our big hope for the upcoming Olympic Games. She won the silver medal at the 2002 Olympics and several world cup titles. Her passion and enthusiasm for skiing comes across with every word she’s saying. We had the honor to talk to her.
 Describe yourself in 3 words
FUN AS HELL!!
What do you like about Skiing/Snowboarding?
To be honest, I don't know exactly what I love about it, I just love everything. I love the beautiful mountains and fresh air, skiing with your friends, getting the stash of powder that no one else found, competing all over the world where I never thought I would go, and sometimes just being by yourself on a cold winter day!!
If you weren’t skiing, what would you do?
Well right now, I'm rehabbing my knee and working on my new company Silver Bean Coffee Co. But in between all of those things I am really into racing cars, riding my dirt bike, mountain biking, hiking, swimming, yoga, eating sushi, drinking wine, and sleeping.
Who had the most important influence in your life?
I think at many times in my life I have had different influences, and right now it's my little brother Scotty. He's on the U.S. Aerial Team and I just think he is amazing. He has accomplished so much and is really kicking ass. Now that I'm injured I really get to sit back and watch him get better and better, it is a very cool thing. He's going through all of those learning curves and really doing a great job. He makes me a better person, I am such a proud sis!!
What was your happiest moment on the mountain?
My happiest moment on the mountain is when I had won the event called the Gold Cup and I earned my spot on the 2002 Olympic Team. That night the aerialists competed and they played the national anthem. I looked over at my parents and my dad was crying. I asked him what he could possibly be upset at (because he never cries, unlike my mom) and he said he was the proudest dad ever, his baby was going to the Olympics!! It was so cool to share that moment with my family because they mean the world to me and they had given up a lot to let me chase my dream!
What’s your biggest goal in life?
My biggest goal in life is to not blow out my knees again!! I've done both now and I think that is enough. What we do is hard enough on our knees already, but throw in a couple more surgeries and I won't be able to walk by the time I'm fifty. And I've got a lot more I want to do in life!!!
How important are friends and family to you?
Family and friends are everything to me. I don't know what I would have done without all of them supporting me emotionally and physically all through my life. They are there to share the victories but more importantly they are there in defeat. I've been so lucky that I have such a wonderful and supportive family and the best friends any one could ask for!!
What scares you?
Crashing my race car! It's so crazy to go from a sport where if you crash you may blow out your knee or get a concussion, but if you crash your race car at like 120 it could be death. And that is pretty darn scary!!
How do you imagine the Ski scene in 5 years time?
I think it is just going to be insane. I can't even imagine the tricks these kids are going to be throwing. Every year I don't think they could go any bigger, or ski anything more scary, but they always do. The bar is going to be set super high!!
What do you think about a girls only show on The Ski Channel?
I think a girls show on The Ski Channel is an awesome idea. There are some pretty sick girls out there throwing down but we need way more of them. There is a pretty big gap right now between what the men can do and where the women are at and hopefully this will help get more girls involved and we'll be able to catch them!!
|
Mountain Biking
