Zachary Violett

Age: 25
Hometown: Brownsville, CA
School: University of Alaska Anchorage
Residence: Bend, OR
Training Group: XC-Oregon
Occupation: Entrepreneur

Skiing Accomplishments:
2006 US National Champion Team Sprint
6 x Top 3 at Super Tours
4 x NCAA All-American
2001 Junior World Championship team member

Favorite memories of skiing:
My favorite memories are definitely skiing with my parents when I was young. We would go out on snowmobile trails in the woods and ski for hours. My brother and I would find anything we could and jump off of it. A rock covered in snow, Perfect ski jump. Tree stump covered in snow, jump off of it. Road cut, climb to the top and jump. I don't really remember ever landing on my skis. It sure was fun to jump.

Best Racing moment:
Besides passing Bjorn Daelie in the 2000 Norwegian Skarverennet, my best moment racing came at the 2007 Norwegian Birkie. I was skiing with the lead pack for the whole race. Unfortunately, the race was called off half way through, due to high winds and lack of visibility in the latter parts of the course. After my rather poor showing at the 2006 American Birkie, I felt that I owed myself a good finish at the Birkie, whether it was the American or Norwegian Birkie was besides the point.

Looking forward to the season:
Snow would be a good start. After that the World Cups in Canada! I finished last year skiing strong in the Europa Cups and feel ready to take the next step forward.

I would also like to say that I am looking forward to redemption at the Birkie. There will be no skiing backward at the base of the power line hill this year. It is on!