What a fun week it’s been watching the Olympics! There have been so many great stories it’s hard to know where to begin. We’ve seen epic battles between nations, like heavyweights Sweden and Norway in Cross Country skiing. We’ve watched the Dutch fans go wild as their athletes capture Gold in their national pastime, speed skating. There have been moments of inspiration as we’ve watched individuals dig deep, performing beyond 
expectations or overcoming physical injuries and mental challenges to succeed. But mostly it’s just been fun and exciting to watch people doing what they truly enjoy and are passionate about to the ultimate of their ability.
Americans have dominated, capturing more medals than any other country, with 28 so far compared to second place Germany with 18. Things started with a bang on Wednesday in the Women’s Downhill when American Lindsey Vonn won the Gold Medal, with teammate and local Julia Mancuso of Olympic Valley taking the Silver. Lindsey went on to take Bronze in the Super G and Julia another Silver in the Women’s Super Combined. What a great result for Julia so far! It’s nice to see her continue the Squaw Valley Olympic tradition.
A great story of redemption is that of American skier Bode Miller. You may remember his nightmare Olympics in Torino where he was expected to win many medals and came away with none. He skied all out then, but recklessly, and seemed lost with a major lack of focus. Since then he’s become a father, with a new daughter Darcy, and that’s made all the difference in his head. He skies smarter now, still with passion but also in control. The results speak for themselves. He won Bronze in the Downhill, Silver in the Super G and an amazing Gold last night in the Men’s Combined. What a thrill to watch and what a difference a child and fatherhood can make in someone’s life.
Have you seen Ski Cross? It’s my new favorite Olympic sport. Picture a roller coaster covered with snow and then imagine skiing down it with 3 other people jockeying for position. It finishes with a 17 foot high drop off a wall to the finish line. It’s the first year it’s been in the Olympics and the first time I’d seen it. Guess I’m going to have to start watching the Winter X Games. Many of the skiers are ex-professionals like Truckee’s Daron Rahlves who's won the legendary Hahnenkamm downhill in his career. Daron had just dislocated his hip three weeks earlier but came back to race at the Olympic Ski Cross event. Unfortunately. he crashed again in the qualifier but what a gutsy performance. Also participating was Truckee’s Errol Kerr who was skiing for the Jamaican Ski team, shades of Silent Running. He also failed to make it out of the qualifier but it was great to hear Truckee mentioned so many times on national television. It’s just another reminder of the depth of the talent in our area and the quality of the terrain and conditions that continue to draw so many top athletes here to live.
I hope the Olympics will inspire you to be better, try harder, and have no excuses as you get out and ski, skate or snowshoe in the week to come.
Americans have dominated, capturing more medals than any other country, with 28 so far compared to second place Germany with 18. Things started with a bang on Wednesday in the Women’s Downhill when American Lindsey Vonn won the Gold Medal, with teammate and local Julia Mancuso of Olympic Valley taking the Silver. Lindsey went on to take Bronze in the Super G and Julia another Silver in the Women’s Super Combined. What a great result for Julia so far! It’s nice to see her continue the Squaw Valley Olympic tradition.
A great story of redemption is that of American skier Bode Miller. You may remember his nightmare Olympics in Torino where he was expected to win many medals and came away with none. He skied all out then, but recklessly, and seemed lost with a major lack of focus. Since then he’s become a father, with a new daughter Darcy, and that’s made all the difference in his head. He skies smarter now, still with passion but also in control. The results speak for themselves. He won Bronze in the Downhill, Silver in the Super G and an amazing Gold last night in the Men’s Combined. What a thrill to watch and what a difference a child and fatherhood can make in someone’s life.
Have you seen Ski Cross? It’s my new favorite Olympic sport. Picture a roller coaster covered with snow and then imagine skiing down it with 3 other people jockeying for position. It finishes with a 17 foot high drop off a wall to the finish line. It’s the first year it’s been in the Olympics and the first time I’d seen it. Guess I’m going to have to start watching the Winter X Games. Many of the skiers are ex-professionals like Truckee’s Daron Rahlves who's won the legendary Hahnenkamm downhill in his career. Daron had just dislocated his hip three weeks earlier but came back to race at the Olympic Ski Cross event. Unfortunately. he crashed again in the qualifier but what a gutsy performance. Also participating was Truckee’s Errol Kerr who was skiing for the Jamaican Ski team, shades of Silent Running. He also failed to make it out of the qualifier but it was great to hear Truckee mentioned so many times on national television. It’s just another reminder of the depth of the talent in our area and the quality of the terrain and conditions that continue to draw so many top athletes here to live.
I hope the Olympics will inspire you to be better, try harder, and have no excuses as you get out and ski, skate or snowshoe in the week to come.
Comments