Jillian Vogtli - Olympic Moguls Skier

"Recovery" has new meaning for Olympian Jillian Vogtli. She went from reconstructive knee surgery in April to the Olympics 9 months later. Just less than 8 months off of crutches.

In a bizarre, end-of-season mishap during a dual moguls exhibition, Vogtli tore her right anterior cruciate ligament and lateral meniscus and underwent a knee reconstruction in April 2001. This was her first reconstruction on that leg.

Knowing what to expect, and motivated even more by the oncoming Olympic season, Vogtli chewed through her rehab program. She was pain free and back on snow by the fall, with renewed focus and mental strength. Though she had several finals under her belt, it was not until the last qualifying event for the Olympic team that she found the podium. Thus, clinching her Olympic spot. This season, she's focused on competing in her third Worlds Championships, on 'Champion' the Deer Valley Olympic run. She's determined to stand on the top of that podium.

Comment: "I'm very happy with last season. With surgery in April, I was aware that I only had X amount of time before I had to be back skiing at the top level. I knew that the odds were against me, but I took it as a challenge. So with much support, I made it back and accomplished my dream of competing in the Olympics.

Start-up: Vogtli moved to Ellicottville at age 10 and that is when she began skiing at Holiday Valley, just south of Buffalo. After graduating from Brockport in '96 she moved to Park City to focus full-time on skiing.

She won the Nor Am moguls title that season and was on her way to the U.S. Ski Team.

How cool were the Olympics? "My favorite moment was standing in the gate on event day, looking out over the vast crowd, hearing the roar and knowing without a doubt that it was all worth it."

Kick ball: Through high school and one year of College, Vogtli played soccer, until she incurred her first knee injury. It was then that she hung up the cleats. Her high school team was the New York state champions in '90.

One sport at a time: She's eyeing a second elite-level sports career, looking at competing as a track cyclist with USA Cycling.

More book work: When she's not training or competing, Vogtli is pursuing a Doctorate in Natural Health.

Jillian R. Vogtli
US Freestyle Ski Team: 1996-Current
Career Highlights

Highlights:		2002 Olympian
		2x World Championship Team Member
Overall Ranking:
2002		4th place United States
		12th place World FIS
2001		4th place United States
		13th place World
2000		3rd place United States
		11th place World FIS
1998		4th place United States
		18th place World
World Cup Results:
2002		3rd place Lake Placid, NY
		5th place Madarao, Japan
		8th place Oberstdorf, Germany
		9th place Steamboat Springs, CO
2001		5th place Sunday River, Maine
		8th place Blackcomb, Canada
		9th place Blackcomb, Canada
2000		5th place Heavenly, CA
		7th place Mt. Tremblant, Canada
		7th place Inawashiro, Japan
		9th place Livingo, Italy (World Cup Finals)
		9th place Blackcomb, Canada - DM
		9th place Madarao, Japan - DM
1998		3rd place Altenmarkt, Austria - DM
		5th place Tignes, France - DM
		8th place Lake Placid, NY
Other Competitions:
2000		4th place Lake Placid, NY (DM Goodwill Games)
		6th place Lake Placid, NY (Goodwill Games)
		5th place Steamboat, CO (Sprint Invitational)
		5th place Steamboat, CO (DM-Sprint Invitational)
1998		2nd place Lake Placid, NY (Gold Cup)
		3rd place Sugarloaf, ME (US Nationals)