A couple of months ago we featured an event for Karly Piper Shorr, the Milford, Michigan native who secured a spot in the USA Olympic Qualifier for Slopestyle.
When you get a phone call telling you that you’re going to represent your country in the biggest sports event in all of history; I’d say that makes the loneliness pretty worth it.
Late Tuesday evening we got word that Karly was nominated for a spot on the 2014 USA Women’s Olympic Slopestyle Team and will be headed to the Olympics in Sochi Russia in February. Not only are we pumped to share the news of a mitten native making it to the Olympics, but the fact that Karly has been working extremely hard to get to this spot pretty much all her life.
Knowing Karly has had a crazy schedule, we were able to connect briefly and chat about her experience so far, challenges and what she is most looking forward to on this once in a lifetime achievement.
MSP: What has been the hardest part on the road to being nominated for the women’s slopestyle team?
KPS: I would have to say that the hardest part about getting there is the grueling schedule that is the Olympic Trials. There have already been five events since the beginning of December. I have literally been traveling nonstop since the snow began to fall. It has been a blast, and I am so happy about my travels, {but} it does take a toll on the body and on your soul though. The Road to Sochi started a long time before that though. I have been traveling since my Sophomore year of high school, and that is hard on a young girl. It proves to be very lonely at times, but when you finally make it on that Professional Podium with girls who you have looked up to for your entire career it makes it all worth it. Or when you get a phone call telling you that you’re going to represent your country in the biggest sports event in all of history; I’d say that makes the loneliness pretty worth it.
MSP: We can’t imagine the excitement that comes with this announcement. What are you most looking forward to?
KPS: I am most excited to meet all of the other athletes, and to really experience what the games are all about. I can’t wait to compete with all of my fellow snowboarders, and to watch the other events as well. I really hope I get to meet some Hockey players, and some Skeleton athletes. I just can’t believe that this is happening, it never seemed like a reality. It still doesn’t, I think once I get to Team Processing and receive all of my USA clothing it will finally set in. I hope I don’t start crying once it finally does hit me! I couldn’t be more thankful for all of the support my hometown has shown me. They truly are the best people, and I am so lucky to have so many people behind me. I just cannot wait to get there and soak it all in, I am all smiles from here on out and I feel like I have accomplished more than I ever knew that I could.
We’ll continue to share Karly’s stoke and be watching come February! Good luck to Karly and the rest of Team USA!