Billy Demong

With a career on the snow of over 15 years, Billy Demong has produced some staggering numbers and memorable moments as America’s best-ever Nordic combined skier. In addition to his Gold and Silver Medal performances at the 2010 Olympic Games (historic firsts for Team USA), Demong is already a four-time Olympian, a 21-time World Cup Medalist (nine of which are gold), a record-setting nine-time U.S. World Team member and an eight-time U.S. National Champion.

Demong was on cross-country skis by the time he was three with his dad in the woods of upstate NY. By five, he was racing, and by eight, he began ski jumping at the former Olympic venue in Lake Placid. He made his Olympic debut at 17 in Nagano, Japan in 1998.

In 2002, Demong won his first career World Cup, then months later fractured his skull from a shallow dive into a swimming pool. The accident nearly ended his career, though today, he sees it as the true turning point in becoming a champion. Forced to take a break from the intense demands of training while recovering left him ample time for soul searching. His true passion for the sport was rekindled, and upon returning to the snow, he never looked back.

Off the snow, Demong is nearly as good a cyclist as he is a skier, and he’s a lifelong avid outdoorsman. He’s the founder of an environmental consulting agency, Demong Designs, and is married to Katie and the father of sons Liam and Renn.