On The Record -- An interview with Wilton's Jolie Poirier
Wilton High School junior Jolie Poirier, pictured at right and below, is one of the top high school skiers in Connecticut. As a freshman, she was an Small School All-State performer while last year she ended up All-State regardless of class. Now a junior, Poirier is leading a growing Wilton girls ski team through another winter season at Mount Southington. With one more regular season meet to go before this year's state championship event, Poirier is gearing up for another big finish. She took time out on a recent bus ride to practice to go "On The Record" with the Wilton Villager.
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The Poirier File
Parents/Siblings: Guy and Colette; Angele (13); Genevieze (11)
Sports/Activities: Field hockey, skiing, Student Board for Wilton Education Foundation.
Future Goals: Take skiing far in my life, including skiing in college.
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Wilton Villager: What's the best thing about Wilton High School?
Jolie Poirier: I would have to say the school spirit, definitely. Everybody really knows how to get united during Spirit Week and there is always spirit everywhere.
WV: What teacher or coach at Wilton has had the most profound effect on you thus far in your life?
JP: Mr. (Rob) Perry. He taught me freshman year in biology and he's been my (skiing) coach for three years now. I really have taken a lot out of him. He's a great guy and he knows what he's doing.
WV: How much fun is it being a high school ski racer?
JP: I love it. It's great. The team is great and everybody has so much fun together. It's just a great experience really.
WV: What is your favorite mountain and trail?
JP: I'd have to say Jiminy Peak in Massachusets. I ski their every weekend. My favorite trail there is Whirlaway. It's a double black diamond.
WV: What's the worst spill you've ever taken?
JP: Let's see. It was at J4s (a U.S. Skiing age-group championship race) when I was 11. During the giant slalom and I caught a gate with my shoulder and I ended up doing kind of a somersault and ended up dislocating my shoulder. I still did my second run. It was pretty fun, but it hurt a lot.
WV: What got you started into skiing?
JP: Well, my dad has always been into extreme sports. He used to do the cliff jumping for skiing. When he had kids, he decided we should be skiing. He taught us and he wanted to get us into racing because it was something he always wanted to try.
WV: What is your earliest athletic memory?
JP: I think it would have to be skiing. When my dad taught me how to ski for the first time at Mohawk, I was about 10 and he took me and my grandfather and they spent the whole day trying to get me to go down the hill. It ended up sticking.
WV: Do you have any pre-race superstitions or routines?
JP: I always where the same pair of socks. I wash them in between, but I think I've been wearing them for four years now.
WV: If you could spend 24 hours in anybody else's shoes, who would it be and why?
JP: It would definitely be Lindsey Vonn. She won (the downhill gold medal on Wednesday) and she's so determined and she just made skiing her goal and it's amazing to see her finally get what she wanted. I admire her determination and everything she has ever worked for.
WV: What's your perfect breakfast?
JP: Bacon, egg and cheese sandwich and a glass of chocolate milk.
WV: What's your perfect midnight snack?
JP: A bowl of Cheerios.
WV: What's one thing nobody else knows about you?
JP: Before I started skiing, I actually did ballet. I also did fencing for one year.
WV: What one word best describes you?
JP: Determined. I do my best to never give up until I reach my goal.
