Age:             42
Height:         6'3”
Weight:        195
Shoe Size:     13
Titles Held:    45 Professional Slalom Victories  
                   7 time US National Slalom Champion
Records:       Former US National Slalom Record Holder
                   Former World Cup Slalom Record Holder
                   Former US Pro Tour Record Holder


MB: Wade Cox = HO Skis.  You've been the HO/Syndicate poster boy since the beginning of time. Why HO, and how has that relationship helped you to become one of the few all time legends in skiing?  
 
WC: It was simple at the time I signed (July 1988-wow that is a long time ago),  Herb O'Brien chose me to be his slalom guy.  I was able to step in and be the number one guy even though at the time I was far from it.  Instantly I was given input on product and the situation evolved from there.  We made better skis and I skied way better!  The US Pro Tour was thriving and HO made a big commitment to the Tour and I was HO's poster boy.  Mastercraft also sponsored the US Pro Tour and with Mastercraft being my other main sponsor I became very committed to the pro tour.  At first it was just so much fun!!!!  I was winning.... everything is cool when you are winning.  But it also creates expectations.  The pressure to stay at the top mounted.  I think this is where my relationship with HO flourished. They knew I was committed and fiercely loyal so winning and success became simply a bi-product of preparation.  

MB: The 1990's were your true glory years.  You and Andy Mapple had some of the most epic battles in the history of the sport...maybe all sports!  I don't think anyone besides you two ever won an event in the 90's.  With everyone chasing you, and everything to lose, how did you stay on top for so long?

WC: Even though I might have been chased....I was doing a lot of chasing myself.  In the early 90's every time I would elevate my performance Andy would do the same.  By the mid 90's I had caught and passed him.   What a feeling to beat the best guy in the world!!!!  Then the roles were reversed again and I had to chase.  By 99 and 2000 we were having these huge tiebreak battles at 41 off.  We had started the decade barely running 38 and 10 years later we were almost running 41.  I get asked about the battles with Andy often. People comment how many more I would have won without Andy there.  I kind of disagree.  Carl Roberge convinced me when I was 18 that to be the best I had to beat the best.   Nobody has ever been better than Andy.  Not Cory, not Bob, not Patrice and maybe not even Sammy.   Andy's got more titles than everyone.  I think what happened was Andy was beating Bob, Carl, and Mike K and then I came along and started beating those guys.  Andy was #1 and I was #2.   I kept pushing him and he was pulling me.  Maybe neither of us would have gone as deep as we did had it not been for the other.  I think this is what a great rivalry cultivates.  Each has to examine all parts of your life, reflect, build and re-build.  You take it with you all the time and you take it personal.  Back in the 90's you were either in his corner or mine.  But what I was really good at was grinding.  I always thought there was a way!!!  On a given Wednesday when everything was going and you thought you had no chance.  You have tried everything by Thursday.  Tourney now here!   You scrape through a couple rounds of qualifying by the skin of your teeth and now you are in the finals....pressure off...go out and have fun in the finals and celebrate!  I think that is why I was able to be successful.  It was not always pretty or full of pleasantries but I loved digging out those performances.


MB: If you could time travel back to the beginning of your pro career, in 2011, and start all over....what would you do differently?

WC: I’d have protected my lower back more.  My back cost me at least 5 good years.  The strengthening and flexibility of the core is so crucial to body balance and performance.


MB: What is Coxy doing these days?  We know you spend some time on the bike....road and mountain...will we see "Wade Cox" on the starting list for the Leadville 100 anytime soon?

WC: My family and I still live in Chuluota, Fl and we love it here!  My house is about 1 mile from 18 miles of wicked single track thru dense forest along a river....too cool!!  I own an insurance agency and I am still the Team Director for Syndicate.


MB: What has been your greatest accomplishment?   

WC: Being a Father!

WC: I never won the Worlds.  It was not a priority at all for me then.  I only skied in 4 worlds.  It was different then.  Pro Tour was my goal.  I blew the 1995 Worlds....had it and f'd it up big time.....that hurts.   


MB: Who were you're hero's growing up?  Who Inspired you?  

WC: My water ski hero was Carl Roberge...he was just cool!!   But I based everything after Michael Jordan.  I grew up a basketball player and he was the beat that ever was!  He had more money than he could ever spend but played like he was broke.....even in practice.....I did the same.   Ask Carl, Brett, or Kristi how hard I would ski for a free lunch.........I never bought......ever!
           

MB: Why do you water ski?

     
WC: Just loved it.....the boat....the water...the sun!

MB: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?   

WC: I think this question is meant for KC.

MB: Where is water skiing in 5 years?    

WC: No idea.

MB: What’s in your refrigerator right now?    

WC: Are you kidding?  I'm married with 2 kids.....It's freakin full man!