racing...

[Ski]

In less than two days, Bode Miller has a chance to change everything. The terrible press, the hate mail, and all the questions both from strangers and the one's he asks himself.

 

Any athlete will tell you they really just want one thing: a chance to win. Bode qualified for the World Championships at the very last moment, limping to the finish nine seconds behind the leader in the final event leading up to the races in Are, Sweden. Maybe he'd have been named to the slalom team anyway, since a country can enter four racers, but this way he earned it.

 

What are Bode's odds of winning? Most experts would say he has no chance. He hasn't been on the podium since the '04-'05 season (and then just once)...he's barely finished a slalom race in the last two years. He's 0-9 for nine since the Turin Olympic debacle, when it comes to big races.

 

Slalom racing doesn't take guts. Historically, slalom racers were looked down upon by the real men of downhill. Slalom racers were slick and often very famous in Europe. But they weren't the crazy legendary racers that inspired young children to follow in their footsteps.

 

But it will take guts for Bode to win this slalom. Not because of the pitch or the ruts or the hairpin turns, but because racing itself is an internal battle. Bode is probably the biggest head-case of all, right now, and ski racing is 90% mental. There is a lifetime of preparation for a skier that is pushing through the wand at a World Chamionship race. A racer must believe he or she is going to win. A racer must know it. And Bode couldn't be more lost.

 

First Grade Teacher challenged me to just go ahead and admit that I hate Bode. But that's impossible. There is a respect, if not a certain reverance, for I have for anyone that puts themself behind that start wand. Doug, Mike, 'Mom, 'Dude, Jeff, Metzy...the list is long. I remember when Adam first started racing and he'd he be firing off a thousand question about how much pressure to put on each ski through a turn...I used to try and answer him, then add that he should enjoy this journey. But he never heard that part of it. He's 20 years from hearing that. And Doug's amazing frustration at a NASTAR course...a man that flies down Jackson Hole diamonds can have his skiing sole challenged by 15 plastic gates on a what would be a bunny run at places he's practically lived.

 

Ski racing makes you feel alive and can tear you apart.

 

The greatest days of my life have been watching my oldest checking the scoreboard at 'Montage' and realizing she'd won a USSA event; having my youngest stand at the finish line and tell me she wanted to "do that a thousand more times"; and, a night making a ski movie with my wife on one of our first dates.

 

The worst days are also ski race related...except for when my dog was run over when I was 12.

 

So we take this journey of learning. The addictive properties are likely common: the starter's voice saying, "Racer ready....three...two...one...go!"

 

Maybe it's the feeling of speed. But whatever, it's adrenalin related. And it's all about the fine line we ride across the edge of failure. One tiny second has ruined Doug's night...a half second has almost made me quit skiing.

 

I sit here at home, less than three hours away from the start of my race league. Others are headed to NASTAR. Bode is probably off being Bode.

 

A long time ago, I used to watch the Robert Redford movie "Downhill Racer" the night before races. I believe it was made in 1969, or so, and the ski footage is so incredibly out-dated. But the European venues are remarkably unchanged. And the fear and challenges are also the same. At my daughter's races, I used to find her somewhere around the start area and, almost with superstition, quote a line from the movie in which the head coach tells Redford to "Uncork one." Redford had been so wreckless, that he crashed out of most races---he took every chance, without enough preparation, and ended up being demoted from the World Cup squad. But he worked hard in the off season and found his focus. The significance of his coach telling him that was that Redford's character had earned the right to now take the chances and go for it. The moment had come.

 

So that's my advice to my friends for tonight and for this weekend. It's also my advice to Bode:

 

Uncork one.

[Papasteeze]

nicely written, good stuff. not sure about the SL guts stuff, Ridge has some bruises that he will remember for a long time.

[First Grade Teacher]

A racer must believe he or she is going to win. A racer must know it. And Bode couldn't be more lost.

 

Very good post except for the part about Bodes mind set. How do you know he is lost? Is he a family member of yours? Do you hang out with him? Are you his shrink? Do you drink with him? Cut me a break! Nobody knows what he is thinking and that's what makes him such a threat in all events.

 

You really overplay the whole "Bode sucks in Slalom" thing. Hosp sucks in downhill..........big deal! They are both in 4th overall. Bode ranks 5th in DH, 6th in GS and 1st in SG. I hardly think he needs a "chance to change everything." He knows he's not at the top of his game per his quote below:

 

Edited February 16, 2007 by First Grade Teacher

[Ski]

One of two things: either you don't read or see any interviews Bode has given, or you're just posting this crap to be an idiot. Bode has said he feels lost in slalom MANY times. So no, I'm neither his shrink nor his drinking buddy; I heard him SAY it.

 

And any fellow competitor that says Bode can do anything he wants in skiing may be overlooking the fact that Bode hasn't really finished a slalom race in a couple of years. Is he crashing out or hiking to 20th because thats what he wants?

 

And Jens Byggmark is just some really hot-skiing young kid, that's in the lead because the vets can't cross the finish line consistantly. Byggmark's started less than 20 World Cup races in his life---what's he going to say? That a former Overall World Cup Champion sucks in slalom? Byggmark's only scored five Europa Cup podiums, but those guys that get the call up to World Cup sometimes make a big splash, since they are used to crappy, rutted-out courses.

 

And since you don't seem to understand how it works: slalom is TWO runs. If you crash out in either run, you've LOST. It was a very bad day. There's no special podium and no sponsors lining up for one run slalom racers.

 

Just out of curiosity, 1st Grade, did you race today? Nah, I didn't think so...

[Ski]

not sure about the SL guts stuff, Ridge has some bruises that he will remember for a long time.

 

Ha, point taken, but I was looking more at the death and paralysis rate of speed event skiers v. technical events.

[First Grade Teacher]

One of two things: either you don't read or see any interviews Bode has given, or you're just posting this crap to be an idiot. Bode has said he feels lost in slalom MANY times. So no, I'm neither his shrink nor his drinking buddy; I heard him SAY it.

 

Sounds like you know everything about him then!

 

And any fellow competitor that says Bode can do anything he wants in skiing may be overlooking the fact that Bode hasn't really finished a slalom race in a couple of years. Is he crashing out or hiking to 20th because thats what he wants?

 

Your right! His competitors probably have no idea he isn't doing well in slalom!

 

And Jens Byggmark is just some really hot-skiing young kid, that's in the lead because the vets can't cross the finish line consistantly. Byggmark's started less than 20 World Cup races in his life---what's he going to say? That a former Overall World Cup Champion sucks in slalom? Byggmark's only scored five Europa Cup podiums, but those guys that get the call up to World Cup sometimes make a big splash, since they are used to crappy, rutted-out courses.

 

Byggmark probably sucks and doesn't know shit about anything!(just like me). That's why he is leading the WC in Slalom! And Raich and Miller probably don't know anything either, they are only the last 2 champions!

 

And since you don't seem to understand how it works: slalom is TWO runs. If you crash out in either run, you've LOST. It was a very bad day. There's no special podium and no sponsors lining up for one run slalom racers.

 

Did I say Bode won in SL recently? I don't think so! I know how it works..........trust me. I forgot more about racing than you will ever know. And yes I can look at 1 picture and tell if you are off line at THAT gate!

 

Just out of curiosity, 1st Grade, did you race today? Nah, I didn't think so...

 

No. Did you? Anymore questions?

Edited February 16, 2007 by First Grade Teacher

[Ski]

You barely have the knowledge of a casual observer with a major chip on his shoulder. And, yes, I did race today. My Super G at Windham was cancelled because they got 30", so I had an even better day racing with my 6 yr. old.

 

 

 

 

"......trust me. I forgot more about racing than you will ever know. And yes I can look at 1 picture and tell if you are off line at THAT gate!"---First Grade Teacher

 

Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!!! I love that!!!!!

[First Grade Teacher]

You barely have the knowledge of a casual observer with a major chip on his shoulder. And, yes, I did race today. My Super G at Windham was cancelled because they got 30", so I had an even better day racing with my 6 yr. old.

"......trust me. I forgot more about racing than you will ever know. And yes I can look at 1 picture and tell if you are off line at THAT gate!"---First Grade Teacher

 

Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!!! I love that!!!!!

 

Did she kick your ass?

[Ski]

Did she kick your ass?

 

Not yet. But I'm working on it.

[First Grade Teacher]

Not yet. But I'm working on it.

 

You got some different names for your kids. Were you a hippy?

[Ski]

You got some different names for your kids. Were you a hippy?

 

Tylea is a version of Tyrolean. Some of my family is Celtic, from what is the Western Alps. So if a tyrolean rain is "hippy", then so be it.

[First Grade Teacher]

Tylea is a version of Tyrolean. Some of my family is Celtic, from what is the Western Alps. So if a tyrolean rain is "hippy", then so be it.

 

Cool name. I was just curious. Your other daughter has a unique name also. I hope no offense was taken. Lot's of ex hippies have children with unique names, that's why I asked.

[Ski]

Cool name. I was just curious. Your other daughter has a unique name also. I hope no offense was taken. Lot's of ex hippies have children with unique names, that's why I asked.

 

No offense taken.

[First Grade Teacher]

FGT do you have any kids??? Besides the glue eating twerps you teach..

 

I don't provide personal info on the web. Look at the mess it got you in!

[AtomicSkier]

I don't provide personal info on the web. Look at the mess it got you in!

 

http://www.paskiandride.com/forums/index.p...ost&p=80776

[Ski]

http://www.paskiandride.com/forums/index.p...ost&p=80776

 

Holy crap...the page after that was brutal. You people are all crazy mo fos...now I don't feel so bad about some of the things I've said. Sh*t, the thing about 1st Grade is that at least you know what he thinks of you...I'm tempted to try and make peace again, but he'd just slap it down.

 

The mistake about DH staying in Harrisburg may be the funniest thing I've seen on here.

[First Grade Teacher]

Wow. You guys are pretty sharp! Maybe I revealed more than I thought.

 

And that was back when Doug edited all his posts so the TGR guys wouldn't know anything about him! Take a look. It's funny.

Edited February 17, 2007 by First Grade Teacher