Didier Cuche started toddling around on skis while he was learning to walk.
Now, at 37, the Swiss alpine star still has a childlike enthusiasm for Switzerland's national passion. It motivates him despite persistent questions about retirement. He also still possesses the power of a pit bull as he launches 5 feet 9 inches of solid muscle out of the gate. Cuche may be on the cusp of middle age, but he's breaking records, racking up podiums and keeping his World Cup competitors on edge.
"We'll see if I continue to have success this year," Cuche said after training in Lake Louise, Alta., where the World Cup men will race the season's first downhill on Saturday.
"I still have pleasure and it's fun to ski and that's why I decided to continue," he added, "But you have many, many hours of training, physical training, and on skis, and then all the risk. I feel comfortable right now with that. We'll see in the spring how I feel."
Cuche is an old man on the mountain. Despite repeated setbacks from injury – multiple broken legs and knee surgeries – shaken confidence, and the perception that this is a young man's sport, Cuche's career really only took off in his 30s. He has six Crystal Globes, and he is the reigning downhill and super giant slalom champion. The Canadian men's team, which has been crippled by injuries, counts Cuche as its inspiration. Members are calling this season "The Didier Cuche Project."
"He's old and he's still skiing," said 30-year-old Jan Hudec of Calgary, who has had seven major knee operations.
"I know I can come back, but to see guys that are 37 and are still winning on the World Cup," he said, "It gives you hope."
Alpine Canada president Max Gartner said Cuche is indicative of a sport taking a longer term career view. Peak age for Olympic success is around 30.
"It's been an ongoing trend," Gartner said, "In the eighties, people would retire at age 23. If you look at the Crazy Canucks, you retire fairly early. Now, that career has been pushed back."
Erik Guay, 30, of Mont-Tremblant, Que., has his sights set on the Sochi Games in 2014. Cuche is his role model: "He really came into his own after 30."
Cuche is flattered that another ski nation considers him a source of strength.
"It doesn't help me to be fast," he said, shrugging, "but it's nice that the other guys find some inspiration."
Cuche competed in his first World Cup at 19, and went on to collect 17 victories with 60 podiums. He also owns the triple crown of the ski world.
He won the downhill at Kitzbuehel, the toughest, most dangerous course on the circuit in 2011. He has four World Championship medals (including gold in super giant slalom in Val D'Isère in 2009, where he also took silver in the downhill). And, he has an Olympic medal (super G silver from Nagano in 1998).
The only thing he hasn't achieved is an overall championship.
"That's not realistic to have that as a goal," Cuche explained as he looked to 30 races yet to come.
At age 36 Cuche became the oldest athlete in World Cup history to win a race, when he took Kitzbuehel last January. A week later, he won the downhill in Chamonix. In February, he took downhill silver at the World Championships Garmisch-Partenkirchen. In March, he won the super G in Kvitfjell. The International Ski Federation pegged Cuche's prize money last season at more than $276,000 (U.S.), but Cuche considered quitting after an argument with a race director in Norway slapped him with a humiliating fine of about $5,500. When he later told reporters he'd ski at least one more year, applause erupted.
Teammate Carlo Janka, 25, said the Swiss squad needs Cuche's competitive drive and leadership. For the young guns, he also serves as a career benchmark. "Hopefully, I can do that like him," Janka said.
Cuche is also in a fine fraternity of mature athletes. Teemu Selanne is 41 and still shooting pucks for the Anaheim Ducks. Anthony Calvillo is the Montreal Alouettes quarterback and he's 39. And at 45, Tim Wakefield is pitching for the Boston Red Sox.