Sorry Missy and 'Dude

[Ski]

I thought you guys were crazy when you suggested Bode would ever possibly show up for a race "wasted". But you guys were both right, according to Bode. I just saw an excerpt from an upcoming "60 Minutes" where he says he's shown up for races "wasted". I believe he meant he was just drunk...but whatever.

[poconoceancity]

I predict his career will be very short-lived. It will probably end with a drunk car crash, or a dead hooker.

[Ski]

Mickey Mantle spent his entire life after baseball wishing he'd treated his body better when he was at his peak....instead of drinking and partying. Bode could be an all-time legend, maybe the greatest ever.

[Ski]

Do you guys think Bode's an Alchoholic? We all like to drink from time to time but if I was in serious races with multi-million dollar sponsorships I'd probably lay off the booze. I don't think Tiger Woods shows up at his tournements hung over, that's John Dalys job.

 

IDK...he's a guy that people say can remember every turn of every run. How could someone like that ever put themselves in a position to be wasted on a race course, if it weren't a serious problem?

 

John Daly and his Round of Tears...now that was entertaining golf!

[Papasteeze]

IDK...he's a guy that people say can remember every turn of every run. How could someone like that ever put themselves in a position to be wasted on a race course, if it weren't a serious problem?

 

John Daly and his Round of Tears...now that was entertaining golf!

 

Personalities are what keep stuff interesting, otherwise they would all be USSA robots.. Props!! fire away..

[Papasteeze]

Bode Miller told '60 Minutes' "There have been times I've been in really tough shape at the top of the course."

I think, but not sure, there is a second part of that, that goes... And I nailed the run, skied better than I have.......... Everyone loves to pick on the guy who is on top..

 

I found this in that same website:

 

The U.S.'s other top male skier has moved into the lead in the overall World Cup Alpine standings, ahead of more renowned teammate Bode Miller, who has fallen to second. While it's unlikely that the pair will finish the season 1-2 overall ........

I don't like the looks of that reporting, doesn't Rahlves have far more renown? The reporting looks suspect to me.. Looks like unsupportive garbage to me..

 

Sports Illustrated must be asking for interviews and Bode or the US ski team or what ever keeps telling them to *()&^(* off.. or the writer doesn't like snow sports and would rather be following water polo..

Edited January 6, 2006 by Papasteeze

[Ski]

I guess we won't be seeing him on the Wheaties box but maybe on a case of Molson xxx

 

Hahahaha...

 

I think he's crashed in 11 of his last 13 slalom races and hasn't qualified for the US Olympic slalom squad, yet. Let's hope a coach spikes his J

[Ski]

Lindsey Kildow (USA) is my fav chick; and Massimiliano

[skierboi]

SCHLOPY all the way!

[LineSki]

Asked if the risk meant he would never ski drunk again, Miller replied "No, I'm not saying that."

 

hahahahahaha, the boy sure does like to booze

[Ski]

International Ski Federation President Gian Franco Kasper said he felt sorry for Miller but that the American's statement did not endanger the sport's reputation.

 

"It's his own mistake," told the AP by telephone. "It's completely stupid that he said it and not exactly what he should tell young people. We aren't really concerned (for the sport). I think everyone knows it's stupidity. I feel sorry for him because he's killing his reputation.

 

"But there is no minimal IQ limit within alpine skiing."

[Glenn]

Perhaps they should add the breathalizer to the drug testing for Alpine Racing... Drug tests are to keep the athletes safe, I can't imagine racing down the mountain wasted is exactly the safest thing either.

[Ski]

Ha, but Doug, aren't there parking spaces for your car outside most bars?

[Papasteeze]

What I think really stinks is that the press capitalizes on this type of sensationalism, for what purpose? What makes matters worse is that Sports Illustrated then feels it necessary to repeat it and spread it.

 

All the bad news that is fit to print. It is sad, that human nature seems to pick up on this negativity and spread it.

[Dan-]

Do you guys think Bode's an Alchoholic? We all like to drink from time to time but if I was in serious races with multi-million dollar sponsorships I'd probably lay off the booze. I don't think Tiger Woods shows up at his tournements hung over, that's John Dalys job.

 

 

Maybe he doesn't care about spsonsorships. Maybe he just ski's because he enjoy's skiing. Sponsorships... sure there great, you get paid and get free stuff, but for that they take away your freedom. Bode seems like a very chilled out dude that doesn't want all the troubles of a sponsorship. More power to him if he's just having fun, because thats what skiing and riding should be all about.

[Ski]

Maybe he doesn't care about spsonsorships. Maybe he just ski's because he enjoy's skiing. Sponsorships... sure there great, you get paid and get free stuff, but for that they take away your freedom. Bode seems like a very chilled out dude that doesn't want all the troubles of a sponsorship. More power to him if he's just having fun, because thats what skiing and riding should be all about.

 

Except that the US Ski Team is spending $100,000 that was raised through mostly private contributions---including from my family---for Bode to race drunk and crash in 12 of his last 14 slalom races. Now, if Bode quit the team and skied independantly, like another US racer did a couple of years ago, then let him drink and crash all he wants.

 

Bode cares a lot about sponsorships, though. He took over a million dollars from Atomic this year. Right now Atomic is very happy that their other sponsored skiers are leading the World Cup.

 

BTW, Bode continued his downward slide in this weekend's races. I hope he bottoms out and gets his sh*t together for Turin. I really don't know anyone that really wishes bad things for Bode, it's just hard to root for someone that acts and talks like such a jerk*ff. And blaming the press for sensationalism? Bode said it on camera. Period. Last year, Bode drank at least five shots and two beers within 8 hours of course inspection of a World Cup race on camera, then crashed in the third gate of a course that nobody else fell on.

 

Yeah, it's everyone else's fault. Pffft.

[Papasteeze]

Here is another perspective from a racing reporter: Did anybody watch the segment?

 

First, as a reporter, let me say that everyone's reactions to the Bode interview on 60 Minutes are a bit out of context themselves. It was made clear on the show, they were talking about one race last year, where Bode had been celebrating his season title all night, and was more than hung over, in fact, still drunk, at his start the next morning. Read Steve Porino's story on Ski Racing's web site about him talking with the producer of the 60 Minute Bode segment. She was upset at the controversy.

[skimom]

I have no idea if drinking is currently impacting his performance, but in my only direct interaction with Bode, he skied down his run and straight into the bar when pacesetting at the NASTAR Nationals a couple winters ago. Then he was so intoxicated during the autograph session he could just about sit up and sign. It's just not good for a role model to be slobbering drunk. And it's just plain dumb to race while intoxicated (i.e. drink heavily the night before). I hope he gets his act together and turns back into the awesome athlete who hangs on thru those wild turns.

[Papasteeze]

I hope he gets his act together and turns back into the awesome athlete who hangs on thru those wild turns.

 

and turns back into??

 

Jeez - mom... the guy just did really well one month ago. His antics weren't just after the Beaver Creek, they were from last year and well before, if the bad press stopped or never got out, would he be an awesome athelete now?

 

Sorry, if it seems like I am picking on typed words. But if anything, he was not an awesome athelete then because of the stuff he was doing then..... But now, we can only assume that he is in full focus and he is an awesome athlete now, as evidenced by his performance at BC ...

Edited January 9, 2006 by Papasteeze

[LineSki]

video

 

taking it to the max

[skimom]

Pops, Bode just doesn't seem to be able to hang on to his turns as well this year. It's not like he's bombed every race, but he seems off more often than on. Wouldn't you love to see him hanging on a bit more often? Who knows, he's good at bouncing back, so maybe he will again...

[Ski]

Here is another perspective from a racing reporter: Did anybody watch the segment?

 

Why be an apologist for Bode? He was quoted in the Italian press and on Eurosport television that he drinks alcohol almost every night. Did you see any of the Bode on the Bus shows last season? He was getting drunk in every segment.

 

Steve Porino, who is an ex-US Ski Team downhiller and a terrific "on the hill" commentator is NOT a journalist. He is an advocate for the sport of skiing, especially the US Ski Teamers. Steve is best known for getting on a plastic sled and going down a downhill track to show what it's like to crash into the netting. He's like the chick that does the goofy features at the end of the local news.

 

The morning after Bode won the title, he was clearly drunk in the start and skied out of the race. That was the extreme example. But saying it's only been that extreme once, so there's no problem, is ignoring a real problem for Bode.

 

This weekend's races were just terrible. He pushed out of the GS start and stepped on his own ski tail. Bode almost didn't make it to the first gate! He skied down nearly 2.5 seconds behind the leader, then barely held on in the second run for a few points.

 

Sunday, Bode simply skied out of the first run of slalom. He was sloppy and late for every turn, then simply skied out of the course. He hasn't finished a single slalom race this season.

 

I just don't think it's cool. I think it's tragic and a horrible example for kids.

[Ski]

Jeez - mom... the guy just did really well one month ago. His antics weren't just after the Beaver Creek, they were from last year and well before, if the bad press stopped or never got out, would he be an awesome athelete now?

 

Sorry, if it seems like I am picking on typed words. But if anything, he was not an awesome athelete then because of the stuff he was doing then..... But now, we can only assume that he is in full focus and he is an awesome athlete now, as evidenced by his performance at BC ...

 

Well, lets look at it. Since he won the BC GS after being on his butt four times, here's what he's done:

 

DNQ2 (meaning he hiked)

7th

3rd

5th

DNF2 (crashed in run 2)

8

8

DNF1 (crashed in run 1)

DNF2 (crashed in run 2)

DNQ1 (meaning he was outside the top 30 in the first run and didn't qualify for a second run)

9th

14th

DNF1 (crashed in run 1)

 

In 13 races since Beaver Creek, Bode has had ONE third place podium finish.

 

For comparison, here are Rahlves most recent finishes:

 

2nd

FIRST PLACE

5th

3rd

32

DNF1

12

FIRST PLACE

9th

6th

FIRST PLACE

6th

 

That's three World Cup wins and a total of five podiums.

[mbike-ski]

Hey skiing and drinking are two of my favorite past times, but they definately don't go well together, especially at his level. I read Bode's book and was a little dissapointed as I did'nt come away with a whole lot of insight. I'm comparing it to Lances book where I was amazed and inspired. I think the the whole nike campaign of bodeist philosophy is more hooey than substance and I liked him alot better last year - I knew less and he skied better! Do we have a smiley for jack@ss?

[Papasteeze]

I never said that Rahlves isn't more consistent. But I don't buy into being harsh on someone because of a slide or an off period.

 

We all have em.

 

Isn't that why they call him "explodee"..