Ski Racing - December 3, 2009

First, you speed down an in-run at more than 50 miles per hour, using split second timing to have a stylish flight. And only when it’s done, you might gulp some food — and then race a brutal cross-country ski competition that leaves your lungs gasping.

So what keeps athletes coming back after “retirement?” Todd Lodwick came back in a big way last winter. Then came word that Finland’s Hannu Manninen was ready to race again.

Now, 29-year-old Carl Van Loan is back after retiring in 2006. After the Torino Olympic Winter Games, the New Hampshire-born athlete hung up the boards and picked up the books, graduating from the College of Charleston with a degree in business administration. He got a job at the Charleston Bicycle Company and married his girlfriend, Paula Gentry. Van Loan was settling in for his version of the American dream.

Then, those nagging thoughts about another try at an Olympic Winter Games filled his head. “I have been thinking about this for some time now and with the support of my wife the timing worked out well,” Van Loan said in a recent interview. “Also, the job market right now was less-than-satisfactory for a new graduate fresh out of business school. And lastly, the current success of the U.S. team inspired and solidified me.”

It’s not like Van Loan left much undone in his career. He was a member of the 2002 and 2006 Olympic teams, was on four World Championship teams and, along with his mates, was first in the Junior Worlds back in 1999.

But the pull was too much. “I was planning on this comeback before I heard that Todd Lodwick or any of the others,” said Van

Loan. “Maybe it’s because Vancouver is such a great place or the realization that being a full time athlete is not such a bad life. For me, it was also about trying to perform up to the best of my abilities and I have unfinished business. I have been on two Olympic teams, so if I make this one, I’ll be ready.”

“I just miss the sport,” he said. “I was living in the deep South, I was a full time road-bike racer and getting away from snow for a while was a great change of pace. But I did miss skiing and the mountains.”

With the current depth of the combined squad, Van Loan said he has no illusions that this will come easy. “Making the Olympic team is a bit of a long shot for me,” he said. “I am coming into a team that has been training together for the last three years, so I am an outsider. With the team’s maximum Olympic size at only five, if I make the team, I will deserve to be there.”

Van Loan said he is torn about being away from his wife for long stretches at a time; Paula has stayed in South Carolina while he has been living in Park City with Billy Demong.

The USST coaches have been welcoming, said Van Loan. “They have been great to me as far as letting me participate with them, but there is also a change in coaching styles compared to 2006,” he said. “Now the athletes are more active with individual input on what works best for each of them. Everyone is older now and has a real grasp on what works for them as individuals.”

Coach Dave Jarrett said it was nice to have Carl around again. “He has matured since 2006 and like any comeback he is here because he wants to be here, which makes motivation and training very easy,” he said. “He is working hard and doing well. I think the race for the fourth and fifth spot on the Olympic team is extremely tight and competitive and Carl’s presence has raised the level of everyone around him.”

and has had some of his best international results at Vancouver’s Whistler Olympic Park.

Outlook: Trains with CXC and has been rocketing all summer. “He’s been hitting all his markers,” says Vordenberg, “including in the 3,000 meter, and that’s an easy one to measure. He’s got better strength and is just as fast, and that is really a good sign.”

Extracurricular: A lot of bike riding, Friday night fish fries, grouse hunting; and he’s into mapping.

Tazlina Mannix

Age: 23

Home: Palmer, Alaska

Equipment/Sponsors: Fischer, Salomon, Swix; Rudy Project, Carlile Transportation Systems, GCI Communications, AAA-1 Subaru, Rob Holt and the Alaska Professional

Hunters Assoc., Valley Orthodontics

Olympic Appearances: None

Trophy Room: Two top- 10 national title results last season.

Outlook: “Taz had a really hard year last year trying to balance her training, and didn’t ski up to her potential at all,” says coach Vordenberg before adding that her training has balanced out this summer. “I think this year she should be much closer to her potential.” And that potential should be pretty good. She says she grew up cross country skiing “as soon as I could walk” in Alaska.

Extracurricular: Volunteers at the local ski program and works with the Talkeetna elementary school. Attending classes at Alaska Pacific and is interested in cooking and sustainable agricultural practices.

Morgan Smyth

Age: 23

Home: Vernon, Vt.

Equipment/Sponsors: Fischer, Salomon

Olympic Appearances: None

Trophy Room: A 12th at the U23 Worlds were followed by her first World Championship. Got three medals in national junior competition in 2004.

Outlook: Smyth underwent compartment surgery on her lower leg early this past summer, so the expectations aren’t high, though coach Vordenberg points out: “She has had the opportunity for the past six weeks to work on her upper body strength. She’ll be among our best double-polers this year for sure. She’s super strong.”

Extracurricular: She’s big on the outdoors and says she never wants to be locked into a desk job. Climbing, kayaking, surfing, beaching and camping are always on her list of things to do.

GEPA (VAN LOAN)’ USSA (MANNIX); HANK MCKEE ( WILLIAMS)

Lindsay Williams Age: 25 Home: Hastings, Minn. Equipment/Sponsors: Fischer, Salomon, Swix Olympic Appearances: 2006 Trophy Room: A Super Series force in 2008, finishing fifth overall.