Ski Racing - March 12, 2012

The Slides of March

STARTHOUSE

Alpine ski racing’s March Madness is upon us and unlike the NCAA basketball big dance, alpine’s madness involves young athletes from 11 to 19. For many, qualifying for the various Junior Olympics or championships is their huge goal, representing the culmination of a ton of work and effort.

Unfortunately, for many more there will be no end-of-season finales, no cool jackets, and no chance to challenge for the prized trophies. Yes, that is ski racing, but for those who just missed going to their finals, disappointment abounds for parents and athletes — which is why we asked former Ski Racing writer Edie Thys Morgan, Edie, who was with the alpine team in the late 1980s and early 1990s, worked with us for several years, developing a column that she dubbed “ Racer eX.” She covered many facets of alpine ski sport — its light sides as well as its dark moments. Now a mother of two boys racing out of the Dartmouth Skiway in Hanover, N.H., Edie is experiencing her children’s highs and lows much the same as hundreds of parent across the country. Her column can be found on page 69 and is a must-read for all USSA parents and athletes, particularly at this time of the season. As Edie points out, ski racing is a long and often winding road.

Nobody knows how hard racing is better than Resi Stiegler. The affable, hugely energetic Wyomingite scored her first World Cup podium this week after suffering through and overcoming a horrific series of season-ending injuries. Talk about perseverance! This young lady has it in spades. Stiegler’s story is one you have to admire. Always a talent, she refused to bow to her setbacks, learned how to overcome her post-trauma fears and anxieties. The result was an unexpected podium — unexpected to everyone but her. Eric Williams writes about her stunning Ofterschwang performance that took her to second place in the brilliant March sunshine beginning on page 19.

USSA

Resi Stiegler

Sarah Hendrickson soared to the first women’s jumping title in history last week. By winning in Japan, Hendrickson —who makes her home in Park City where she can capitalize on both the Utah Olympic Park and the Center of Excellence — totally dominated the circuit’s maiden year with eight wins. Securing the premier crystal globe is a bit of history no one else will earn in the sport. Congratulations to Sarah and the rest of her team for bringing home the initial nation’s cup title as well. The U.S. scored another historic moment when Ryan Cochran-Siegle captured the World Junior championship downhill title 30 years after his mother, Barbara Ann Cochran, won gold at the Olympic Winter Games in Sapporo, Japan. Another member of the legendary skiing Cochran clan, Ryan was coincidentally wearing bib No. 1, the same number his mother wore when she captured the gold medal in slalom three decades ago. Ski Racing’s Hank McKee updates you on the Junior World Championship story thus far. Hint: think Norge and Die Schweiz. For the first time in memory, Ski Racing is highlighting a U.S. Team sponsor: our newest partner, Global Rescue. We do this because Global Rescue provides a unique service to which parents and every club should give thoughtful consideration. Operated by a group of ex-Navy SEALs and other skilled Armed Forces veterans, the company provides experienced medical and evacuation services. Importantly, Global Rescue is also linked to the Johns Hopkins Medicine, one of the nation’s most broad-based and international medical facilities. Certainly, if needed, Global Rescue can pull you off the Eiger’s north wall, but it also can provide worldwide medical consultation in conjunction with Johns Hopkins, recommending local doctors and facilities. If your child or your family is traveling to ski camps in the Southern Hemisphere or the West this summer, this service more than deserves a thorough look. Furthermore, if your vacation plans include rafting the Colorado, tickling lion’s bellies in the Serengeti or trekking in Bhutan, Global Rescue provides needed insurance at a reasonable price. Winter sports are racing toward their frenetic finals. Kikkan Randall has earned an historic first-ever by capturing the women’s nordic sprint title. Hannah Kearney has already locked up the moguls’ globe. And Ms. Crystal, Lindsey Vonn, should be packing four globes with the possibility of adding one more. In alpine skiing the U.S. is sending a record 12 World Cup athletes to the 2012 Finals in Schladming. As always, Ski Racing editors will be keeping you abreast of all the excitement on its webpage and through its apps, updating as the action occurs. Keep in touch and use your sunscreen. It is going to be one heck of a spring! — G.B. Jr.

SALES/MARKETING DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & STRATEGIC RELATIONSHIPS

CLAIRE ABBE

MARKETPLACE AND CIRCULATION MANAGER

NANCY MERRILL

ART

ART DIRECTOR

RAND PAUL

PHOTOGRAPHERS

JONATHAN SELKOWITZ

EDITORIAL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

SARAH TUFF

SENIOR EDITOR

HANK MCKEE

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

ERIC WILLIAMS

CONTRIBUTORS

EMILY COOK DAVE PESZEK TIM REYNOLDS SUSAN THEIS

SKI RACING
INTERNATIONAL, LLC
CHAIRMAN/CEO
GARY BLACK JR.
CONTROLLER
ADELE SAVARIA

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