BIOGRAPHY:
Aspen local Wiley Maple has the body for hockey and originally was headed in that direction until skiing provided him a slap shot opportunity to ski with the U.S. Development Team. A number of World Cup starts later and he's well on his way up the World Cup food chain.
With things looking good for the NorAm downhill title, Maple got the call from U.S. coaches to join the squad at the famous Lauberhorn classic World Cup weekend in Wengen, Switzerland – the longest downhill on tour. Two training runs later, Maple kicked out of the gate for his first major league race and finished a respectable 41st.
The result kept him in Europe for a few more weeks in order to test his mettle at the Kandahar races in Chamonix, France which proved to be solid big race experience for Maple and motivation for him to come home and lock the NorAm downhill title guaranteeing World Cup downhill starts for the 2012 season.
WILEY SAYS:
Wengen was awesome. It felt good to get that first one in. The crowds there are insane - I didn't know people were that psyched about skiing. Downhill is the fastest, scariest and the best. I've always liked watching Bode (Miller) just because he puts it on the line. I take the risky lines, stick my nose in it and make a lot of mistakes. I don't like looking pretty, but I like being fast.
FIRST TRACKS:
Growing up in one of America's quintessential ski towns was a good indication that Maple would find his way onto the slopes. It helped that his parents - Mike, a real estate manager, and Julie, an architect – where big time skiers. Plus, younger sis Alexandra is pretty good. She went the college route and helped the University of Colorado…just like dad. Only when he was there, they won a pair of NCAA titles. So solid junior results earned Maple a spot in the U.S. Development program in 2009 and he's been focused on World Cup ever since.
OFF THE SNOW:
Maple, like his name, is the man with the wild hair. U.S. Ski Teamers officially welcomed him to the World Cup in Wengen by shaving his already unruly do into something of a Sideshow Bob set up. When not skiing, you'll find Maple running around hiking, biking, climbing and just playing in the mountains around Aspen or surfing the bowls at the local skate park. Aside from sport, it's all about hanging out with good people and kicking back to a little classic rock or bluegrass.
