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. He's made it count and is now a rising star among the men's speed team.
Maple's 2012 goals included scoring World Cup points, gaining more big race experience and staying healthy. He accomplished the first two by landing points at the famed Saslong speed track in Val Gardena, Italy before the Christmas break. "I was really excited for Wiley," said Head Coach Sasha Rearick. "He got the call a few nights before the race that he was going to get a start and he made it count."
Maple then added up more starts in places like Wengen, Kitzbuehel, Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Chamonix before a pair of crashes in Crans Montana, Switzerland triggered a torn ACL. So much for the staying healthy part.
A bit of crutch time and coaches had him back on snow in the fall.
WILEY SAYS
It's a part of the game. If you're going fast and pushing the line, then odds are at some point you're going to crash. You just hope that the crash isn't that bad and you can ski again the next day. Unfortunately I missed the last few months of the season.
Still, it was cool to get my first World Cup points and I'm looking forward to being back on the speed tour with some more experience under my belt.
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 wiley hair. 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.
