Skiing, racing and all the space in between
Well Happy March to you! Assuming that you have already awoken and said “Rabbit rabbit” into the mirror, parents of ski racers have one more task. It is the annual tradition of reading The Long Road, to keep blood pressure in check during the upcoming weeks. This year, in addition to reposting the piece, I am including a French lesson. This comes in the form of excerpts from a fine book my sister recently unearthed, … » read more
It has a deeper meaning as well though, a reminder to be grateful for every day and every run, for the privilege of being outside and doing this sport with these fabulously fun people. Deeper still, it says “I know you’re with me. You’re a true skier, you’re one of us.”
What John Tesh, Wilson Philips and Monty Python have to do with the Meaning of Life in the dead of winter
I’m taking a moment here to remember someone who, to me, was a legend. I heard this morning that Koni Rupprechter had passed away. Koni was the head Womens DH coach for the US Ski Team from 87-89 or so. He was as unconventional as he was classically Austrian. Smoking, drinking, charming—the man knew how to balance intensity and levity. What he was best at, however, was working the room. He knew how to read … » read more
I’m not going to sugar coat it. If you’re living in the east, this winter so far…rhymes with ducks. It’s hard for skiers to feel the joy of the season when greeted with a palette entirely composed of mixed browns. That said, these situations always provide some upside, or at least an opportunity for growth. In times like these—as in California’s dreaded winter of 76, when our ski team went for a hike deep in … » read more
Athletic success is nice, but on it’s own it will be short-lived. With that in mind, parents and coaches need to ask ourselves what we want our kids to get out of their commitment to sports? What parts of their sport experiences will make them better, happier, more fulfilled people?
The most important thing within any program is building a culture of wanting to get things done, wanting to ski. Ski training shouldn’t be a burden.
How many studies must we see about too much of any one thing—from bacon to sunshine to training—being bad for your health before we question the edict that more is always better?
Overconfidence, egocentrism, hyper competitiveness and obsessiveness are tolerated, justified and even celebrated on the way up the ranks in the sporting world. They do not, however, make you an ideal roommate, teammate, soulmate or contributing member of society.
I still hold the keys and the all-important wallet, but once we hit the trails, the water, the path to adventure, I am quickly left in the dust, the wake, the bread-crumbless journey that is the end of the pack.