National alpine ski team career and education survey

Past and current National Alpine Ski Team (NAST) members were surveyed via a mailed questionnaire regarding their educational progress and attainment, career path, parental education and income, as well as their perceptions as to the effect of skiing on dimensions of personal development. The questionnaire was completed by 86% of the total possible (64 of 74) respondents. Although it was found that educational progress was retarded by involvement in elite level skiing, this conclusion could only be drawn if it was assumed that in skiers between 13 and 21 years of age, each one year change in chronological age is 'normally' accompanied by similar academic progress. It was found that upon retirement from NAST 78% of the skiers continued their formal education, with a high level of success. These results were compared to other studies concerning educational attainment.