BIOGRAPHY:
Jimmy Cochran is one of the heralded “Skiing Cochrans." His grandfather was U.S. head coach in 1974, his dad and three aunts were Olympians, and he’s got two cousins on the U.S. Ski Team and another climbing the ladder. A nagging ankle injury during the 2011 preparation period ultimately led to an early trip home from the Team's New Zealand camp and resulted in two surgeries—the second to fix the first that didn't go properly.

Still, Cochran used the time to focus on his favorite project—running Cochran's Ski Area, a family owned non-profit just south of Burlington, VT. The small rope-tow accessed area hosts thousands of families and young skiers each winter and boasts one of the most storied histories in the sport of ski racing. The hill hosts an annual spring slalom that has become a regional favorite as racers compete for small T-Bar trophies made by Cochran.

He was able to return to running gates in early May at the U.S. Ski Team's slalom camp in Park City, UT and plans for a full return to World Cup in 2012.

FIRST TRACKS:
On skis at three, Cochran started racing at about age seven at Cochran’s, the small area outside Burlington, VT, where his father and three aunts—all Olympians and U.S. champions—trained behind the family homestead. He eventually enrolled at Middlebury but left after his freshman year (in ’02) to enroll at the University of Vermont, where his grandfather and father skied. He lit-up the eastern carnival circuit with eight victories during the 2003 season, finishing by capturing slalom silver and giant slalom bronze at the NCAA championships at Dartmouth College. He made the U.S. Ski Team in the 2004 season.

OFF THE SNOW:
Cochran is always busy with a project, most of the time it involves fixing or building something at the family ski area. His annual spring charity slalom—the "Thank God for Snowmaking" race – has become a regional hit.  Another "side project" was creating and branding family maple syrup now available at www.slopesidesyrup.com.