5 questions with Kali Witte
By CURT SYNNESS - Independent Record - 3/14/08
Kali Witte, a Capital High senior, is a four-year member of the Great Divide Ski Team.
Last month, while competing in the Big Sky Speed Series near Huntley in the J1 division, Witte garnered three fourth-place finishes in the Super-G. In January at Whitefish Mountain Resort, in a pair of J1 slalom races she placed runner-up and fourth. She also took fourth in the Giant Slalom.
Witte first strapped on the boards at two years of age, learning how to ski at Snow King in Jackson, Wyo., under the tutelage of her mother. Her first taste of competition came five years ago, with Bozeman’s Bridger Ski Foundation team, before the family relocated to Helena during her freshman year.
An all-around sportsman, the 5-foot-4 Witte also competes for the CHS crosscountry team. Her previous athletics include basketball, softball and track. She also keeps active by hiking and biking.
In the classroom, she carries a 3.75 grade point average. Witte plans on attending the University of Idaho, where she intends to major in fire ecology, fire management and architecture. She is not sure yet whether she’ll ski on the ski team in college.
Witte said that one of the best parts of the sport is the camaraderie of skiing with friends and family. “I enjoy skiing with Quinnie Mawhinney of Bozeman and GDST member Grayson Quigley,” she said. “And with my parents, Brett Witte and Rita Chandler.” Q Who has had the most influence on your competitive skiing?
A Witte: Steve Erickson, who is one of the coaches with Great Divide. He has helped me out a lot.
Q What is your favorite part of skiing?
A Witte: Just being out there on the slopes, experiencing the different terrains. My favorite is skiing in powder.
Q What is the highlight of your career to date?
A Witte: Getting invited to the FIS races. The next one is March 27-30 in Park City, Utah. I might not be able to go, it’s money dependent.
Q What’s the worst crash you’ve ever experienced?
A Witte: Last year at Bridger in the giant slalom at the OHG races when my ski got stuck in a hole by a gate. My right ski popped off, I did about two or three somersaults and then my left ski popped off. I slid past about four gates. I didn’t get hurt, but it was cold.
Q Do you have any more goals in the sport?
A Witte: Just to keep having fun at it. If you don’t have fun it’s not worth it. But doing well, too, does make it all the better.
Last month, while competing in the Big Sky Speed Series near Huntley in the J1 division, Witte garnered three fourth-place finishes in the Super-G. In January at Whitefish Mountain Resort, in a pair of J1 slalom races she placed runner-up and fourth. She also took fourth in the Giant Slalom.
Witte first strapped on the boards at two years of age, learning how to ski at Snow King in Jackson, Wyo., under the tutelage of her mother. Her first taste of competition came five years ago, with Bozeman’s Bridger Ski Foundation team, before the family relocated to Helena during her freshman year.
An all-around sportsman, the 5-foot-4 Witte also competes for the CHS crosscountry team. Her previous athletics include basketball, softball and track. She also keeps active by hiking and biking.
In the classroom, she carries a 3.75 grade point average. Witte plans on attending the University of Idaho, where she intends to major in fire ecology, fire management and architecture. She is not sure yet whether she’ll ski on the ski team in college.
Witte said that one of the best parts of the sport is the camaraderie of skiing with friends and family. “I enjoy skiing with Quinnie Mawhinney of Bozeman and GDST member Grayson Quigley,” she said. “And with my parents, Brett Witte and Rita Chandler.” Q Who has had the most influence on your competitive skiing?
A Witte: Steve Erickson, who is one of the coaches with Great Divide. He has helped me out a lot.
Q What is your favorite part of skiing?
A Witte: Just being out there on the slopes, experiencing the different terrains. My favorite is skiing in powder.
Q What is the highlight of your career to date?
A Witte: Getting invited to the FIS races. The next one is March 27-30 in Park City, Utah. I might not be able to go, it’s money dependent.
Q What’s the worst crash you’ve ever experienced?
A Witte: Last year at Bridger in the giant slalom at the OHG races when my ski got stuck in a hole by a gate. My right ski popped off, I did about two or three somersaults and then my left ski popped off. I slid past about four gates. I didn’t get hurt, but it was cold.
Q Do you have any more goals in the sport?
A Witte: Just to keep having fun at it. If you don’t have fun it’s not worth it. But doing well, too, does make it all the better.
4 stars with 1 rating.
Click here to register
Reader Comments:
Share Article
