Benjamin Slagle (July 29, 1985) is an American alpine skiier. Slagle unexpectedly earned himself a spot on the U.S. Ski team after catching the eye of coach Chris Knight at Sugarloaf in Carrabasset Valley, Maine. Slagle has shown great potential in the slalom and the giant slalom and aspires to compete in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Biography

Raised in Scarborough, Maine, Slagle grew up with a great appreciation of the outdoors. His family owned a ski condo in Maine since he was a young boy, where Ben spent nearly every weekend each winter honing his craft. Despite being affable and gregarious, Ben's social development was severely hindered by a brutal bout with Sun-In during the eigth grade. He was able to rebound socially as his natural hair color grew back, but you could totally tell that people were mostly just trying to be nice.

Slagle graduated from Scarborough High School in 2003, where he exceled in Soccer, Tennis, and Spanish. After graduating high school, Ben attended various post graduate institutions, including Bridgeton Academy, Dickinson College, and the University of Southern Maine.

Personal Life

Ben is an avid Boston Red Sox fan and supporter of Curt Schilling. In 2007, Ben Slagle made headlines by coming to the defense of Curt Schillng, who garnered headlines for controversial comments regarding Barry Bonds and his alleged steroid use, citing Schilling's words as "gospel." In his spare time, Ben enjoys hunting, fishing, along with other gentelmanly pursuits.

Scandal

Slagle's post high school meandering landed him in some trouble that nearly cost him his chance with the U.S. Ski Team. Ben's well known penchant for younger women landed him in some hot water when he was interviewed in early 2008 by a Scarborough High School student writting an article for the school's newspaper. The female student was allegedly offered a "good time" in Slagle's Jeep Wrangler. Upon refusal, the two exchanged an awkwardly long parting embrace. None of the claims could be verified and the charges were later dropped.