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Turin 2006: Skiing's First Family

By Andrea Delbanco

The family legacy he carries doesn't slow down skier Jimmy Cochran as he conquers the slopes. Jimmy comes from a long line of racing legends known as the Skiing Cochrans. Their family tree of skiers began with Jimmy's grandfather, Mickey, who was a U.S. Ski Team coach in the 1970s. Mickey's four kids, Barbara Ann, Bobby, Marilyn and Lindy, were Olympians. And Jimmy's generation is also full of ski stars. There are four family members on the current U.S. team: Jimmy Cochran, Jessica and Tim Kelley and Roger Brown.

Jimmy, 24, is competing in the World Cup to earn a spot on the Olym-pic team, which will be announced on January 25. He started skiing at age 3 and racing at age 7. He learned to ski on the family-owned mountain that his father and three aunts also trained on. Located in Richmond, Vermont, Cochran's Ski Area is popular and affordable for families and beginners. Nearly 1,000 kids ski these slopes each week.

Lindy Cochran Kelley, who now coaches, remembers her training days. "Marilyn, Bobby, Barbara Ann and I would do our homework, eat dinner and train under the lights three to four nights a week through the winter," she told TFK. Her daughter, Jessica Kelley, is on the U.S. team. Was it easy to follow in the family boot steps? "There was no pressure. We skied for the fun of it and not because we were going to make the Olympics or anything," Lindy says.

Skiers with Olympic dreams may wonder if there is something in the air at the mountain that has led to so much success. More likely, though, it's something passed down in the Cochran family's traditions.

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