Tuesday, February 12, 2002
Nagano flu doesn't bug freestyler
Canuck skier puts 1998 disappointment behind him in quest for 2002 Salt Lake City moguls gold
By ERIC FRANCIS -- Team Sun
SALT LAKE CITY -- The last time Ryan Johnson skied for Olympic glory, he could hardly stand -- let alone stand on the podium.
Following a semifinal run that landed the Bragg Creek native in fifth place heading into the moguls final, the 27-year-old freestyler was hit with a sudden bout of the flu, compounded by vertigo.
With the final run two days later, he returned to his room in Nagano, where his medal hopes were all but dashed that evening.
"I was within striking distance of the podium and felt good about my chances but that night it hit me really hard -- I was shivering so bad I had my jacket on while I was in my room," said Johnson, currently ranked 18th on the World Cup circuit.
"The day before the final, I wouldn't have been capable of skiing at all -- I could hardly stand. I couldn't turn my head quickly. It doesn't help when you can't do two 360s (his signature jumps)."
If there was a silver lining in his deteriorating physical state, it was that his fight for recovery rid him of any nerves he may have felt heading into the biggest run of his life.
With his energy depleted and his head still groggy, he put together a solid run worthy of a seventh-place finish.
"I skied an excellent run but my second jump was not perfect," said Johnson, who moved to Calgary at age 19 before relocating to Whistler three years ago.
"You may only get one chance at an Olympics, which was what made it so hard ... but I'm getting another chance."
Johnson's chance comes courtesy of a serious neck injury to teammate Pierre-Alexandre Rousseau in January, which gave him the final Canadian roster spot.
"I felt a little uncomfortable, at first, taking Pierre's place due to injury. I was disappointed I didn't qualify on my own but I've been injured, too, and that's part of the game," said Johnson, who missed most of the 1999-00 season after blowing out a knee.
"I definitely feel I deserve to be here."
When asked what his goal is -- in what he says will be his final Olympics -- his answer comes quickly.
"Podium," said Johnson, who finished third at a recent World Cup race in France, snapping a five-year medal drought.
"I want to have the best performance of my life."
Intimately familiar with the Champion run at Deer Valley, Johnson enters today's event a long shot by any standards.
Canadian teammate Stephane Rochon was picked by Sports Illustrated to win moguls gold and former Canadian flag-bearer Jean-Luc Brassard has also come on strong of late.
Johnson is also ranked behind Prince George's Scott Bellavance.
But Johnson says his previous Olympic experience will give him an edge over many competitors.
"There's a lot of hype ... everybody wants your attention but I decided nothing matters but the run," said Johnson.
"I was confident last Olympics because of my preparation. I feel the same about these Games."
2002 Games Freestyle Skiing Coverage
