(Chris Rossi) Where were you born and how old are you?

(Chris Sullivan) I was born in Dallas, Texas. April, 28 1974. It's where I grew up. We had a houseboat at Lake Texoma. We would go there almost every weekend in the summer when I was little. I have great memories of growing up in north Texas.

(CR) When was your first pro competion and how did you do?

(CS) I did a 'challenge the pro's' round in Dallas in 1991. It was a Friday round for anyone who wanted to ski. The winner of the round got to ski in qualifying on Saturday morning. I was in Boys division (boys 3) and I beat a bunch of Men1 and Men 2 guys with 2@38. Anyway, I got to ski on Saturday and it was a rush! I knew then that I wanted to do this skiing thing for a long time.

(CR) What was it like to ski with guys that you looked up to while growing up?

(CS) As I started to ski more Pro contests while in College, it was a surreal deal. To be in the starting area with the guys you have posters of on your walls at home is like an out of body experience. You spend so much time growing up thinking about doing it. Then when it happens, you really aren't as prepared for the experience as you thought you were when you dreamt it up.

(CR) Did you feel like an outsider or was there some dudes that took you under their wing?

(CS) There are definitely both sides to it. It's just because some guys are more outgoing than others. Looking back, some of the guys that gave me a little bit of a hard time are the funniest characters around. It just took a while to get inside with them.
    My most memorable early moment was at my 3rd tour stop in Indianapolis in 1992. It's a tricky site with super short setups and enough cross-chop to sink a small boat. I had just sat down to eat my free lunch (it's a big deal to eat in the tent after you get your ass kicked on the water...at least they feed you afterwards). So, Lucky Lowe sits down at my table in the corner where I'm chillin' solo. I'm a little taken back to begin with, and then he starts in on me in a big way. "Why are you here brother?...Can you run 39.5 out there right now? If you can't run 39 out there right now, then you need to go home!!"
    I took it as well as I could and kept going.
    Just a few years ago, Lucky was riding to the airport with me on Sunday after a Tour Stop and he had no recollection of the conversation we had years ago.
    Point being, that's the way it is. Our sport is filled with great people and in the beginning it's easy to feel like an outsider but there's no harm meant by any of it.
    I do know now after years on the tour, I have made some lifelong friends and had some unbelievable experiences (some should not be documented). I wouldn't want to have them with any different group of people.

(CR) You grew up a 3-eventer, how long did you do that and why did you stop?

(CS) I started skiing tournaments at 11. I was a three eventer from day one. It was a great experience to be on a couple of US teams and compete for the country. It seems being a 3-eventer is the only way to make a team these days. (Sorry Bouchesne...you got robbed!!!)
    I was never a good tricker (best score 5,360) and I didn't have the patience to always learn some new trick just after I learned one. So, I quit the day my coach (Jay Bennett) told me it was my choice. I did still trick in college.
    The thing that drew me to jump and slalom was the opposite of tricks. As I said, in tricks, I felt like I was always learning something new. But, in jump and slalom, you are refining and tweaking and always trying to make your skill or craft better.
    The refinement of motion and motor skill was a constant passion for me and still is.
    I miss jumping but I was pretty good at crashing too so it wasn't the healthiest thing for my slalom. It was the logical thing to quit it. I went 170 feet back in the day on 73" skis. It doesn't seem that far today but damn, was it fun!

(CR) Would you suggest our younger skiers to do the same as far as training for three events?

(CS) Do what motivates you. It's most important that you do what you are passionate about. I think jumping is the best cross training for slalom if your body can handle doing both.
    It's damn hard being an overall skier. I have much respect for all of them.

(CR) You've had some major changes lately, care to fill everyone in?

(CS) Ya. I've just moved to Redmond, Washington to be the Brand Manager for HO Sports. I have been on their Pro Team for 7 or 8 years now and I am committed to the company and their products. I will be overseeing R&D and marketing and ads and Team and more things than I can remember every day.
    I am getting settled in up here and I think I will love living up here and grow to fill the position pretty well.
    Plus, it's already dumping snow up here so I think I'll try to take advantage of some of that other type of skiing.

(CR) How has this been on your skiing?

(CS) There's definitely going to be less skiing for me now. I still plan on skiing all the Pro and Big events in the summer.
    My new home site is Radar Lake. Herb O'brien's place, that is without a doubt the most beautiful place I have ever skied.
    Luckily I have good friends in O-town with the rippin sites too (enter....skitech)

(CR) Tell us what a typical day in the life of Chris Sullivan is like.

(CS) I'm working a lot right now. Spending some long days at the factory, but it's all good. My office is a huge warehouse of machines and R&D guys working on revolutionizing our sport. There's a lot to what goes into building any sort of product but I'm having a blast and learning so much.

(CR) Did you ever think that you'd be able to make a living in the industry?

(CS) I have been on that second tier of pro skiers for quite a few years now. My passion kept me going, cause it wasn't the monetary return, that's for sure. I've just always tried to find ways to make things fit for me. My clinic tour was a huge success this last year. It was my best summer of all the ones I have spent traveling.
    There are ways to make a living in this sport. But, nobody is going to just offer them to you. You have to seek them out and make it happen.

(CR) Do you have any advice for our next generation of skiers? What to expect or good advice?

(CS) It's crazy for me because all of a sudden I am on the other side of the desk. I guess the good thing is that I can fully relate to a skier's perspective.
    My advice is the same as what I just said. You have to define yourself as a unique part of the sport. Before you approach someone about sponsorship, ask yourself why you are better than the other guy. There are a lot of killer skiers on the water right now. There's no shortage of that. It's a shortage of guys who want to work for their companies and do a little self promotion for themselves and the companies they work for. Try to invent your own way to carve a niche in the industry so you stand out. It may be simpler than you think.
    Loyalty is very important as well. I learned that recently. If you are good to the people you work for, they will be good to you.
    I gotta give much thanks to HO and MasterCraft!!!

(CR) Where do you think slalom skiing is right now?

(CS) I think we are in a valley. There is resurgence in motion and we could be in for some huge growth in the near future. We have the most energetic people at the top of our sport, ever. That's an important key to our success. Our pros are ready to carve a new path for our sport if they are given the opportunity to. Guys like Bouch, Rossi, T.Winter, and Marc Brown are gagging for the chance to make something happen. The timing has to be right too.

(CR) What do you think is going to happen in the next five years as far as pro events and exposure for skiing?

(CS) I think it's going to blow up and be huge, but it needs an overhaul first. I believe in my soul that there are good things coming for the top of our sport but we gotta be patient and be ready to strike when the time is right.

(CR) What car do you drive?

(CS) I have a 2003 Chevy Silverado ext-cab. I love it. I drove it 22,000 miles this summer on my road tour. Sammy (my dog) and I slept in it, ate in it, and fully lived in it for 3 months. It's a badass truck.

(CR) Do you own a home?

(CS) Naa. I'm renting a place right now. I got a place on Lake Sammamish. It's the lake where Herb and Denny and all the boys used to ski in the 1960's when they started shaping skis. I went back to the roots to feel it out. The slalom course they skied in is right off the end of my dock.

(CR) What's in your CD player right now?

(CS) I've got Widespread Panic in my player at work and OutKast in my truck. That about sums up my taste in music....diverse

(CR) Thanks for your time. Keep it real.

(CS) Dude, you're the one keeping it real. Thanks for raising the bar with your website and more importantly, your training center. For those who don't know, Rossi's place is a haven for pros and anyone who shares his dedication to our sport.
    You're a great friend and a legendary guide for water skiing.