Steven, with your victory in Val Gardena you became one of the shooting stars in the past season. Do you feel like a star now?

With the victory and the podium right at the beginning of the season I definitely felt that excitement of being one of the favourites. My results fell for a while after that due to injury but I now know what it takes to win and know I can get there. I certainly don't feel like a "star" yet. I have seen several signs made for me at the races which were pretty cool! My favourite was in Wengen, it said "Steven have my babies!" In my opinion to become a star you have to consistently win over multiple seasons.

Did you expect this great success?

I definitely expected the success. I prepared for it and knew I was capable, I had the support and trust of my coaches, the support of the US Ski Team, and Fischer stepped up and showed tremendous support by providing me with my personal technician, Leo Mussi. After that it all came down to my personal execution on the course. 

Do people know you in the US when they meet you on the streets? And do you like to take centre stage?

I certainly don't like to take centre stage. If I have something to say I will say it, but I'm not one who seeks attention. People don't recognize me in the streets here but they did after my win in Gardena. I was in the streets in Bolzano and people were congratulating me. It was a great feeling. 

You have often been plagued by injuries. Have there been times when you didn't believe in a comeback?

I never wanted to quit racing, I love the sport of skiing and will hopefully do it my entire life. Skiing never ceases to amaze me. I can watch it all day and be in awe at the athleticism it requires to do what we do. And with that comes injuries. Injuries are part of the sport and we have to deal with them properly. Luckily I have been fortunate enough to run into some very good doctors and trainers who have put me back together several times and are hopefully now keeping me away from the hospital beds. 

What is your big target in sports?

My big target in skiing is an overall title. This is the pinnacle of the sport. It shows that you have the stamina, strength, consistency and ability to win day in and day out. I have always wanted to be a threat on the World Cup. I have wanted people to look up and say the race isn't over until Steven comes down the hill. I think I have reached that goal and now need to consistently win.

Did you ever think about an alternative to skiing? What would Steven Nyman have become if not a ski racer?

In 2002 I said to myself. "If I don’t make the ski team this season I will go to college and figure things out from there." But luckily that decision point never arrived. I have always had the dream of owning a restaurant though. A simple pizzeria somewhere. 

What do you like most about your "job"? And how important are fame and money to you?

I enjoy relationships, I enjoy the people I meet, the places I get to travel, the friends I make. I am incredibly lucky. I am trying to take advantage of the places I go as well. Living in Europe all winter is awesome. It is a different world than the U.S. and I enjoy taking it in every day. I just need to speak better German. You need to make money to live but I think if I had too much money I would confuse myself. 

Are you a hard-working person or do you prefer an easygoing life?

I'm easygoing when it comes to decisions, but I try to make the best of what is given or surrounding me. I learned to work hard as a kid and work hard still. If you want something great you need to put in great effort. 

How do you like being on tour with the team during the whole year, do you have friends among your colleagues?

I am really excited about our team this year. We have put a lot of emphasis on the team issue. We need that team camaraderie to do well. We are always together all season long. If we weren't getting along it would be hell. I feel like we are all good friends and hopefully it will remain that way. 

Tell some things about yourself. What do you like, what do you hate? Are you a late riser? Your favourite vacation resort….

I like waking up early, I enjoy the daytime. I enjoy activity, movement and creativity. To create something says something about you. I enjoy people along with my personal time. I like experiencing new things, people, and places. I enjoy people watching. I look at how they are dealing with a scenario and try and figure out how they got there or what sort of actions created that certain result. 

Where and how do you live?

I'm homeless! I live on people's couches! I'm lucky to have very generous friends who are willing to deal with me. Actually I am looking for a house right now but I'm not quite sure where I want to live?

Do you have any brothers and sisters?

Three brothers, no sisters. Michael 26, Blake 23, Sam 16.

Do you have a girlfriend? Which girls are your favourites?

Yes I have a girlfriend, Hayley. I like girls with long blonde curly hair. 

You are Mormon? What does this mean to you?

I am Mormon. I was raised Mormon and I follow the religion as best I can. I believe in their teachings and enjoy living my lifestyle. I have had my ups and downs with the religion and tried going my own way, but I have found a comfort and peace with where I am. 

Is faith important for you?

Faith is very important to me. Faith in any sense is very important to everyone, if it be believing in a higher source or simply believing in yourself. I feel like having a belief as a kid has helped me now at a slightly older age. (I'm still a kid at heart)

Does skiing pay off in terms of money? How much do you earn in one year?

I really don't know how much I earn a year. I need to organize that side off my life. It is too confusing! I didn't have much money as a kid and when I received my first big check I was like "whoa what do I do with this??" I'm a simple man with simple pleasures! Skiing definitely pays off but if you look at the top 100 paid athletes world wide, there isn't a single skier mentioned.

Does money loom large in your life?

No.

How do you prefer to spend your free days?

My new hobby is Kiteboarding! It is so much fun to go out and play with the wind! It can be so powerful and take you for a ride! 

What do you spend your money on mostly?

What's with all these money questions? I invest it in myself by buying really good food!

Do you have a special wish, a dream?

I wish global warming would stop right now!!! 

What about your programme in summer. Do you train a lot or are there many days off?

I live pretty good. This spring I travelled to Costa Rica and toured the country there - check out the pics on my blog nymansworld.com. Then I went to ski camp in California, then off to Maui to start training for the summer. Last year I lived there all summer but I am currently only going to go there for a couple weeks and remain at home in Utah. 

You spend many days in Europe. Do you have something like a home on our continent? Do you feel good there?

The US Ski Team has a base in Trentino, Italy, thanks to the support of Francesco Moser and Marco. There we have some apartments and a great training facility. But my real home is whatever hotel we are staying at for the time being. 

Do you think Europe is different to the USA?

I love Europe. It is very different. Europe is an example to me and should be for the US. I think they manage their time and resources a lot better than the States do. We are so wasteful and always in a hurry. Europe is much more relaxed. I like the vastness of the U.S. though. It seems like when I am in Europe I can always look around and there is some sort of man-made structure somewhere. Whereas in the States I could run into the mountains and never be found again if I desired that. Speaking of which, that would be a cool way to die. Leave a note and run away. 

What is the one thing in your life which you would say is the most important?

My freedom.

Where will you be in ten years' time? What will you be doing?

Tossing pizza! Maybe I will do a Patrik Jaerbyn and still be racing! Probably not…

What is the one thing we must know about the person Steven Nyman?