Nicole Deyong

Age: 25
Hometown: Anchorage, Alaska
School: University of Alaska Anchorage
Residence: Ketchum, Idaho
Training Group: Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation
Occupation: Botanical Designer, Ketchum Flower Company

Nicole, an Anchorage native, was brought up with skis on her feet and grew up racing for the Anchorage Junior Nordic Ski Club. In high school she raced with a successful team of girls at East High and her love for competition spurred her desire to continue racing in college. She spent two years racing and training with Alaska Pacific University before attending University of Alaska Anchorage.

While attending UAA Nicole had four successful years of education and competition- she graduated Cum Laude with a bachelor's degree in Natural Science and finished her ski carrier as a two time NCAA All American (9th UNR 2004, 2nd UVM 2005). In the fall of 2007, one semester after her graduation, Nicole was one of thirty former NCAA female athletes to be nominated nationwide for the NCAA Women of the Year Award.

Apart from racing for UAA, Nicole has also represented the United States in numerous international competitions. She was a forerunner at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City and was member of the U.S. U-23 World Championship Team in 2004 where she finished 9th place in the 15k Freestyle at Soldier Hollow.

Last year Nicole moved from Anchorage to Ketchum, Idaho to train with the SVSEF Olympic Development Team. This year she hopes to improve upon her fitness and race well at the US National Championships in Houghton, Michigan. Aside from skiing Nicole enjoys hiking and camping in the mountains.