Q1: Did you and your coach work anything out between these jumps, or just go back to basics?

JOHNNY SPILLANE: Well we did a little extra technique work. I knew the way I was jumping on the small hill would work on a big hill. It wasn’t exactly where it needed to be, but it was definitely really close. But unfortunately for me it was a really difficult hill, really flat hill that requires a person to be really strong-- strong mentally and strong physically. It’s kind of a roll of the dice out there on that small hill. Today we took one step back from the small and big hill, but by competition rolled around we had taken two steps forward.

Q2: When did you decide you were going to make a jail brake in the 7.5 km race? It looked like you caught them napping.

JOHNNY SPILLANE: I really pushed hard the last half of the third lap. And I knew if I could just maintain contact with the group until that last big hill going down to the finish. I knew if I was still up with them at that point I was definitely going to have a chance, and with the way I was feeling and the skis that I had. So my plan was to stay right behind them going down the hill and try to carry as much speed as I could past them and it worked out really well.

Q3: When did you realize you were winning this thing?

JOHNNY SPILLANE: By the time I had 100 meters left, I pretty much knew I had it. I had so much adrenaline flowing. I felt just awesome. I just needed to make sure I didn’t put my pole between my legs or something. I felt well in control, just so much excitement and so much adrenaline made it feel pretty easy.

Q4: After you took the lead did you look behind you, and after you won, who did you look to celebrate with?

JOHNNY SPILLANE: I kind of knew where the guys were, so I try not to look behind because it slows you up a little bit. But definitely when I got to the last twenty yards I looked back to make sure everything was fine and under control and then I celebrated a bit, but after I got through the finish line I was looking around for anybody to talk to, I was just so excited. I saw my jump coach first. It was just an unbelievable feeling to cross the finish line first and it was a long time coming.

Q5: Can you put this win in perspective, what it means to you, what it means for the program and any future athletes wanting to get into this sport?

JOHNNY SPILLANE: It means a lot. We have a quite a few skiers in this state and spread out all across the country, but unfortunately in the past, we haven’t really given them anything to set their sites on. There hasn’t been a guy who has made that step ahead or really taken control out there. I think that now I can hopefully be that for them. I think that the U.S. has a ton of potential. They need something to grasp in order to say ‘hey we can be the best’. This gives them something to strive for. And hopefully this is just a stepping-stone for a lot of more athletes to get up there. In jumping, cross-country and Nordic combined there is a ton of potential right now. Tons of talent and hopefully we can just all make this next big jump together.

Q6: How much does it mean to you to be that first guy to get that Nordic Gold?

JOHNNY SPILLANE: I’m obviously just so thrilled to be that guy to break the barrier, but it was a real team effort for sure, definitely everybody gave their part. Everyone had a hand in it for sure.

Q7: With the other U.S. ski teams doing so well, does that play with your mind and help you believe you can do it to.

JOHNNY SPILLANE: Definitely, We all feed off each other; we stay at the same motels. We eat at the same restaurants. And the whole groups energy—when one of us wins—goes up. You can especially feel it when we live with each other. Everyone has a lot of confidence and its very contagious. I’ve been in Park City since April of last year. I think I will have to be in Park City for quite a while still. There are no other training facilities in the U.S. like it. It is definitely the best.

Q8: Thinking back to Soldier Hollow and the disappointment you experienced in 2002 … does anybody outside your team and coaches know how hard you’ve worked to get to where you are today?

JOHNNY SPILLANE: Soldier Hollow we were extremely disappointed. You know everybody tried their hardest and it just wasn’t our day. There was a lot of motivation to get back on the ball and really try to show the world what we are made of, because the USA can be a force in Nordic skiing. We are really starting to improve. Last year we were a little young and immature, and we couldn’t do what we wanted to do. But I learned a lot from that experience last year and I take it and try to apply it to all of my training. Train every day, or jump every day at least. And it’s a big sacrifice, but I love what I do and everything about it. To be the best Nordic skier I can be I really needed to train every day. It was also a big sacrifice to leave my family and friends and move to Park City, but it’s definitely paid off. I trained really hard over the summer. I got a new jump coach and a new head coach and both of them have had a huge impact on my sport and my life. Everything has been going really well right from the beginning of the season so I’m pretty happy with the way things have gone so far.

Q9: How do you manage the extra pressure?

JOHNNY SPILLANE: I’ve worked with the sport psychologist, and spent a lot of time learning how to channel the energy and use it the right way. I use focus techniques. Especially in the spring, when its all or nothing. You try to use it to your benefit. Nervousness is a good thing. Worried means you haven’t done the proper training.

Q10: Three straight podiums, what change in your training did you do prior to these wins to get you into the position to get three strait?

JOHNNY SPILLANE: I kind of have a new outlook on jumping and I think that’s the main difference. I skied well last year, lot of top-10’s but I had the wrong idea on what it took to make a good jump. New jump coach, Corby Fisher, really helped me learn what it is that makes you go far. Took double the jumps this summer. Trained as much as possible. In Park City I jump on plastic. Relearned what it was that a good ski jump is. My jumps were very aggressive before. I took it all back, started from scratch and made it more of a consistent jump. Jump in all kind of conditions. Last year if I jumped in the top-30 I was pleased. This year if I don’t jump in the top-5 I am upset.