Meet 22 year old Errol Kerr a founding member of the Jamaica Ski Team. Born in Brooklyn he holds dual citizenship courtesy of his Jamaican father and American mother. He will be representing Jamaica in the 2010 Winter Olympics. His dream is to win a Winter Olympic gold for Jamaica and inspire Jamaican kids to ski.
Q: When did you start skiing?
A: I starting skiing when I was age 5.
Q: How did you find time train and go to school when you were younger?
A: I was home schooled so I was able to train.
Q: It seems like your mother has made a great sacrifice to ensure that you continue to do well in the sport. Does this bring added pressure?
A: Absolutely.
Q: For the Jamaicans out there that do no understand what it takes to train for downhill skiing please give us a quick synopsis if your daily routine?
A: Wake up, have 5 to 7 eggs, go for a little jog or warmup, then I will go on snow training, then have a nice lunch, maybe a second session in the afternoon, followed by a nice cool down on a bicycle to get the lactic acid out of your legs, and then dinner.
Q: Approximately how fast are you going when you come downhill?
A: Depends on the event, but sometimes as fast as 70 or 80 mph.
Q: What was the feeling like when you first did downhill skiing? Was there a real big rush?
A: It is a feeling of being free and just gliding down the snow covered hills.
Q: How did the idea for a Jamaican Ski team get started?
A: It started with the Jamaica Ski Federation. Then when I thought of skiing for Jamaica, we started a team.
Q: You are rated as one of the best downhill skiers in the USA. You could have representing the USA in the Olympics. Why did you choose to represent Jamaica?
A: I want to represent the land of my father.
Q: Were there any challenges working with the Jamaica Olympic governing body to represent Jamaica at the Winter Olympics?
A: No.
Q: Skiing is a very expensive sport. How are you currently supporting your efforts financially? Do you have major sponsorships?
A: The Jamaica Ski Federation is taking care of the costs.
