A 2009 graduate of Vermont's Stratton Mountain School, 18-year-old Ellery Hollingsworth is a rising star in the women's halfpipe world. In March 2009, she finished a career-high fourth at a World Cup event in La Molina, Spain, then placed fifth at the 2009-10 season-opening World Cup event in Cardrona, New Zealand.
What are some of the most important things you've learned from your teammates?
I've learned so much from my teammates because I joined the U.S. snowboard team when I was 15 years old and I was always the young one. And I've always kind of been looking up to everyone. Gretchen Bleiler has always been a mentor to me. And she kind of taught me how to be organized when traveling. And to, like, make my bed every day. And Tricia Byrnes taught me to keep the comedy in everything. She's one of the funniest people I know.
Steve Fisher has also been something of a mentor to you. Can you tell us about that?
Yeah, the past two winters I moved in with Steve Fisher and his girlfriend. I wanted to be based out of Colorado because that's where I saw the best conditions. And, so my parents let me move out there for the winter. And his girlfriend's a teacher, so she would tutor me and teach me most of my Stratton Mountain School work and curriculum. And Fisher, again, I learned from him too. He's really organized on the road. And it's nice to live with a snowboarder who's been in the game a little bit longer. So, if I need advice or if I have some questions I can just ask him. Or if I'm like trying to update my, um, drug testing information I just go to him. I'm like: "Yeah, I need this." And he'll just help me out. So, I've been lucky for that too.
How did growing up with two older brothers affect your career?
Growing up with two older brothers has had a huge impact on my career. I'm always kind of chasing after who's ever in front of me or at the next level. My brothers are five and seven years older than me, so I was always tagging along. And I was kind of the annoying little sister, like: "Oh, can I go snowboard with you? Can I go skateboard?" And they're like: "No, no, no." And then now they're like: "Hey, let's go surf. Let's go skate. So things have changed now. But in the past it was kind of me just tagging along and kind of biting at their heels.
How would you describe your taste in music?
My musical taste, it changes so much. Last summer, you know the FRENDS crew? I was with them a lot last summer and I just would be listening to their music. That's kind of where I got into Neil Young and Tom Petty. So I have all of that stuff, and then I have Jack Johnson, and then I'll randomly have my mom's music on my IPOD because when I'm on a trip, on an airplane or something, I just hear it and think about being home and then I listen to a lot of her music. Its pretty calming stuff.
What kind of music is her music?
Like Norah Jones and Enya and stuff and then I love Cat Stevens too.
Now this year, no more Stratton Mountain School. So what's your new home base?
I know. Well, what I figured out this year was that snowboarders don't even need a base. The US team got a place for the whole first month, for December [2008] because there were so many contests in Colorado, so next year I can just stay with them. And then I was based out of Steve Fisher's house, but I didn't go back from Christmas until [May 2009]. So I think I'm going to travel and if I need to go home, I'll just go to [my grandparents' house in Coronado, California] because it's nice to come back in between trips.
Are there other events that you would want to watch at the Olympics?
I feel like if you go to the Olympics, you just have to watch everything. I was surprised at the X Games, everybody just stays at the house, nobody goes out and watches. They only go out for their practice and contests, and I think that if I went to the Olympics, I would want to watch obviously [snowboard cross] and the downhill, when they go flat in the air - that's pretty cool - and the speed skating and everything.
Compiled by Matt Stroup, NBCOlympics.com
