That calm was not easy to develop. Weibrecht was the fourth of five children in his home, and he had to be very vocal when he wanted to tag along with his older siblings as they went off to ski.

That youthful energy has remained, prompting U.S. teammates to create nicknames using his last name. He is sometimes called "Warbrecht," "War Horse," and "Wild Man" because of his attacking style and numerous crashes.

Weibrecht stands at one meter, 67 centimeters. Despite the crashes, he says he has more stability than most of his colleagues because he is shorter.

"It gives me a sort of an advantage. I have a lower profile against the wind. And my center of gravity is a little bit lower," he said. "I feel like sometimes it is a little more difficult to knock me down. I am sometimes able to see a different line than other people. Which once the courses get beat up, that can be advantageous."

The advantage helped Andrew Weibrecht make the U.S. Development Team in 2003. He was named to the lower level "C Team" in 2005. He also raced at the 2004, 2005 and 2006 Junior World Cups, winning a super G bronze medal in 2006. His first full World Cup that year was not as good. He was disqualified in the downhill portion of the super combined event.

Even in 2009 at the world championships, Weibrecht did not finish in the downhill, super combined, and finished 39th in the super G.

His physical build and style is similar to Didier Cuche. And the Swiss veteran has noticed, even giving some advice to the young American, says Weibrecht.