It's been an often dark road for Goepper since medaling in Sochi. But today - was pure happiness.
The Lawrenceburg native pulled into second place on his third and final run of the day. After he won, he said, "Qualifying was mind-blowing and finals were two times that!" Goepper locked in his spot for the finals during his first run in qualifications. But during the medal round, his first two runs down the slope were less than perfect and he was not in medal contention. But on his final try, as Goepper's family held their breath and held hands, he secured his place in PyeongChang Olympic history.
Goepper talked with Eyewitness News sports director Dave Calabro right after his win. Calabro told him, "You had to do it on that final run and I saw you go up in the chairlift and you're like 'I got this.'" Nick laughed, "Yeah totally, you kind of gave me a thumbs up from below and I was like 'you know what, if for anyone I've got to do this for Dave, do it for the Hoosiers, for my hometown Lawrenceburg. I love you guys. thank you so much I love you Indiana."
Goepper's win brought some of his family to tears. It's been a difficult four years since Sochi. Goepper recently talked about his slide into depression after his bronze medal win, the whirlwind of attention and the changes it brought to his life. He said at his darkest time he was suicidal and felt no hope.
Calabro asked him, "What does this mean the journey you have been on, fighting depression you've been open about that and here you are, battling these demons and you've done it?" Nick said, "Certainly it's battling some demons and it was really, really important for me to just go through a recovery process, spent time in a treatment center in Texas for a while and just to be back and be myself and just be loving my family and my girlfriend life is good right now. I can't wait to keep it rolling."
His mom, Linda, beamed with pride. “It’s just incredible," she told Carlos Diaz, "We as a family have worked really, really hard. Nick has worked hard. And to watch the effort that it has taken and the success that he has had, when you want something badly enough and you go for it, you can get it! It’s been an amazing four years, and we’re still, we’re still going.”
After his win, his family ran to congratulate him, " I swear, I don't think I have seen my dad so happy," Goepper said with a huge smile, "Oh my gosh, I know my mom, everyone. I saw some tears. I definitely had some tears the last 24 hours but what a day."
Dad, Chris, said he's seen his son work hard to get where he is today. “I’m so proud of Nick because he continues to grow, " he said, "And he continues to mature. And he overcomes the obstacles that are in front of him. Just like the other kids that are doing the same thing, he just happens to be doing it in his first career which is Slopestyle Skiing. He’s had some tough obstacles, he’s overcoming them, and he’s maturing into the type of adult that we’re both really proud of.”
The formula for Goepper's silver-medal winning run:
Nick Goepper Trick List
- Left 270 pretzel 450 out
- Switch left 270 backside 270 out on down flat down
- 270 on, pretzel 270 out
- Nose butter 720
- Left double cork 1260 tail grab
- Switch rightside double misty 1260 mute grab
- Triple cork 1440 mute grab to late Japan grab