02/18/19 02:51:00
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02/18 02:49 CST Higher learning: Boarder Chloe Kim aims to soar at Princeton
Higher learning: Boarder Chloe Kim aims to soar at Princeton
By PAT GRAHAM
AP Sports Writer
DENVER (AP) --- Snowboarder Chloe Kim has long been in a class by her herself
in the lofty subjects of double corks and front-side twists.
Soon, instead of defying physics, she could be learning some. And instead of
making history, she will study it.
Kim is trading in a few trips down the halfpipe for a ride toward an Ivy League
education. Starting in the fall, she's planning to be part of the Princeton
Class of 2023.
Her aim: Be a normal college freshman --- as much as that's possible anyway for
the Olympic gold medal ist.
"I'd love to be Chloe, the girl who sits next to me in English class," said the
18-year-old from California , who recently won a halfpipe title at the Winter X
Games and heads into the world championships that start this week in Utah as a
big favorite. "My life has always been so different. I'd love to live a normal
life for once."
That could be tricky. She's become that recognizable.
Kim was the face of the Pyeongchang Games last February with her energetic
personality, compelling back story --- her parents are from South Korea --- and
the talent to bring it all home.
At 17, she became the youngest woman to win the Olympic halfpipe gold. She did
so in captivating fashion, too, turning in a memorable final run even with the
gold already secured. With a quick "This one's for you grams" --- a shout-out
to her South Korean grandmother, who was watching her in person for the first
time --- Kim dropped into the halfpipe that day and landed back-to-back
1080-degree spins on her second and third jumps. That's a combination no other
woman has done in a competition.
Along her gold-medal journey, she emerged as a social media star with tweets
about her fondness for churros and ice cream, and being "hangry."
Since then, some fans --- some companies, too --- have been sending churros and
ice cream to her door.
Memo to everyone: Please, no more. Her sweet tooth's reached overload.
"I can't even remember the last time I had ice cream," Kim said. "I'd just eat
them all and then I'd be pretty bummed the next day, because it's a lot. Ice
cream and churros are a dangerous combination."
Her schedule after the Pyeongchang Games has been full of one cool experience
after another. She helped design a snowboarding Barbie doll in her likeness,
rapped with hip-hop artist G-Eazy and walked the red carpet at the ESPY awards
(winning for best female athlete, best female U.S. Olympic athlete and best
female action sports athlete).
Kim also met actress Sarah Jessica Parker and appeared on "The Tonight Show
Starring Jimmy Fallon ," where she caught her first glimpse of her image on a
Corn Flakes box .
"I was like, 'Oh my gosh, that's actually pretty sick. I'm on a cereal box!'"
recounted Kim, who also appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated with her
Australian shepherd, Reese . "I didn't realize how cool all this was until it
actually happened to me.
"Life has been pretty good."
Kim even received her very own engraved spoon from the makers of Cinnamon Toast
Crunch cereal. No need to send extra boxes, though. She has plenty.
"Fruits and vegetable can go out the door," Kim cracked. "My diet is Cinnamon
Toast Crunch."
But this completely bowled her over: Being accepted to Princeton, an honor she
ranks right up there with earning that Olympic gold medal. She was slated to
attend last fall, but decided to defer enrollment a year.
Her major at Princeton will be something science-based --- possibly chemistry
or maybe biology. She's still deciding.
"It's really crazy because Princeton was my dream school before snowboarding
took off," Kim said. "I just liked the name when I was really young and didn't
know about college or anything. My parents were like, 'OK, whatever.' When it
really happened it's like, 'Oh ... OK.' It's just really exciting."
Her snowboard won't be abandoned. She's computing the math and working out a
formula to juggle her training with her class schedule.
For now, she's just enjoying the chance to compete without the anxiety of the
Olympics hanging over her. She's riding purely for enjoyment, which was evident
as she captured her fifth Winter X title in Aspen, Colorado, last weekend.
She's a good bet to take home the world championships halfpipe crown with
finals on Feb. 8 at Park City Mountain.
Recently, Kim joined up with "Protect our Winters ," a nonprofit group that
turns passionate outdoor enthusiasts into climate advocates. It was a natural
fit.
"Snowboarding is a big part of my life," Kim said. "It would be a bummer if we
didn't get to do that anymore."
Next on her agenda: Taking her game to loftier heights. She's currently honing
the double cork front-side 1080 , which she landed during training in Saas-Fee,
Switzerland , in October.
"It's all about progressing the sport and also pushing myself," Kim said. "To
see what I can do, and how far I can go."
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