Portrait
Karin Huttary is really the queen of Skier-X since she already won 2 Gold medals at the X-Games 2006 and 2004 as well as the discipline’s first ever World Champion title in 2005! She also achieved an impressive 2006 season, being consistent in all other major events: she took 2nd in the World Cup Overall Ranking climbing the podium of every event that took place. Victorious in the 2006, 2004 & 2003 Saab Salomon Crossmax Series Overall Ranking, second in 2005, Karin is definitely the Skier-X diva! After a severe back injury in 2007, Karin is now back on her skis and looking for more great successes!
Interview
Your injury last season, rehab and come back on skis ?
Beginning of last season I broke my back- a horrible crash and a very bad injury! As a result of that I was never able to compete last year. It has taken a lot of time, patience and many hours of rehab to get in shape again but the goal is to do my come back in December or January and I start to feel strong and very confident about that again.
The circuit you will compete on next season (FIS? US Ski Tour?...) and goals for the coming winter?
I guess I’ll try to do both Tours but I will have to listen to my body and see if I’ll be able to compete in all these races. The goal for me is pretty clear- to do a great come back and have fun being out on the mountains again.
Your dreams and goals for the future, especially the 2010 Olympics?
To go for an Olympic medal 2010 is for sure a big goal for me but after the experiences of last year I decided to set up new goals after every year- so you can ask that question next year again J!
Your second Gold Medal at the 2006 X-Games after your first title in 2004?
X-Games Gold is always special. The conditions were very difficult with the fresh American snow falling during the night. This made the course very slow and it was not easy to make it over the jumps and land in the transition. I’d really like to thank our service guys Tom and Chris for doing a great job.
Your 3rd victory in a row of the Saab Salomon Crossmas Series Overall Ranking?
It is much more action sking 6 riders per heat and that makes it more exciting- to watch and to ski! It is the best!
Your impressive 2006 FIS World Cup season where you climbed the podium for every race you participated in?
In Skier-X, a lot happenes in your head and I think I have learned a lot about myself in the last few years so I know what I need to do to suceed.
Your Gold at the Rukka 2005 World Championships?
Being the first ever official World Champion of Skier-X is special and it means a lot to me. I am very proud of my skiing on that day. In the final, I was just third out of the start and then able to pass 2 riders at the same time which was a great feeling!
Your vision of the X-Games?
The atmosphere is very special- for us athletes, it is relaxed and tense at the same time: Relaxed because there are so many different crazy sports & athletes which are fun to watch. Tense because everyone wants to perform his / her best and knows that it is the most important race of the year.
What makes it so special too is that so many people come to Aspen to watch this event every year.
The X-Games is a very well known event all over the world and I am sure that the degree of familiarity of Skier-X rose because of the X-Games. It was and still is very important for Skier-X to be part of the winter X-Games.
Your opinion on the FIS Circuit?
Concerning the FIS circuit I hope that they will improve the courses again for the upcoming season. We riders always have discussions about the future of course design and rules, and I still hope that they are going to put all the ideas from paper into practice. Hope dies last!
You strong interests besides skiing?
During the winter, there is not much time for anything else than skiing and I like it that way...it is a great privilege! I love to go Mountain biking and I also started Kitesurfing which is a lot of fun and a new challenge. I still take some classes at the University in Innsbruck too. I enjoy learning something new every day. It is important for me to train my brain too... not only my muscles.
Your home, your way of living?
I live in a flat in Innsbruck and I am a person who needs variety everyday. Doing many different sports and spending my free time with my friends is what I love
| 
