10 Questions with Willow Koerber

Willow Koerber has been turning heads for a long time on racecourses around the World. Renowned as a fantastic descender and gifted technical rider, Willow had a sub-par 2008 season and rough start to her 2009 World Cup season. But she regained form this summer—just in time for the World Championships in Canberra, Australia, where she placed third. Willow was featured in the current edition of Bike, but in light of her great ride at Worlds, we felt that a quick 10 questions to catch up with the first American woman to take an XC Worlds podium in 8 years was in order.

Bike: You just scored the first World Championship medal for a American female rider in 8 years. Your thoughts?

Willow Koerber: I am so excited to be a part of history. The World Championships is the race of the year, and everyone wants to get a medal. The talent in women's racing is extraordinary right now. Anyone of the top five girls could have won that race, and any of the top 10 had a shot at a medal. I did not realize it had been so long since a U.S. medal, and I am so honored to have ended the streak! I have so much respect for all my competition. I know how much effort goes into being the best you can be, and I am impressed and inspired by every girl out there.

This was a great race for you—one of the best of the year and one of the best of your career; is there any one thing you can pin down as making the difference for your success in this race?

There have been many changes in the last year for me, many of them complicated and personal. It is impossible to choose one reason, so here are five.
1) At the suggestion of Todd Wells, I started working with Rick Crawford [Willow’s coach; she started working with him of July 2008]; that’s been huge.
2) Learning that through a number environmental influences, I had accumulated toxic levels of copper in my body. After diagnosis, I took care of that by doing a three-month heavy metal cleanse this past spring. I finally started seeing the results of that about mid-season.
3) Moving to Durango.
4) Ridding myself of limiting beliefs and reclaiming my personal power.
5) Having fun. I have been very hard on myself my whole life. That created a lot of stress. Re-discovering the ability to have fun has allowed me to let go of a lot of that.

That’s a lot of factors, and most are pretty self-explanatory. The one that catches my eye, though, is Durango. What drew you there?

I was at a point where I needed a change from Whistler and North Carolina, and after talking with Rick, I chose Durango—everything’s just lined up perfectly for me since making that move. I love everything about Durango: the trails, the people, the weather, the river, the health food stores. It’s awesome.

Back to racing: you recently switched to riding 29eres during the Pro XC series and for the Worlds—any particular reason?

My teammates had been sprinkling 29er fairy dust around all season. I found out that Heather [Irmiger] was on a medium frame, so of course a small should fit me! I really like new experiences and the Superfly was lighter than my 26-incn hardtail. That was an easy sell. I rode it once the day before Vermont and got second. I won Windham the next weekend and now third at the World Championships. I am never going back! It is also pretty cool to be the first person to have won a Worlds medal on a 29er!

29er fairy dust, eh? What form does that come in?

My 29er is the Fisher Superfly. I love it. I named her Black Beauty. She's a sweet ride!

So 29er is the way to go for you? Will you be racing 29ers exclusively next year?

I am racing the 29er all the time now for sure. You can't argue with the results.

You've been dabbling in a few other race formats this past season, including the Mt. Ashland Super D. Should we look for more of that from you this next year, or are you planning on building on your World's success with a more aggressive World Cup season next year?

I tried some different things this year, but that was more to keep my head fresh and learn to love riding my bike again after an awful 2008 season. I am much more focused on the World Cups next year. I want to win the World Championships in Mont-Sainte-Anne, so my racing and training will be with that goal in mind.

Do you have a favorite pre-race dinner?

Willow Little Dreams gluten-free rice pasta with pesto, spinach and mushrooms; salmon or chicken; and a glass or two of red wine. I love my wine. Love it.

Your race season is finishing up—no more World Cups until next season. This is usually time to re-charge the batteries before all the hard work in the winter. What is your favorite leisure activity in the off-season?

I love to relax by any body of water while the sun is shining on me. The beach is fabulous, but I like rivers too. Ideally, I follow that up with a glass of wine at sunset and good conversation.

Even though the race season is winding down, you’ve got the infamous Single Speed World Champs in your new hometown this weekend. Any plans to win some SSWC ink for your booty?

I have some elaborate tattoo plans of my own, but they do not involve the Singlespeed World Championships. Someone else can have that one!

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