Ski Racing - March 26, 2012

A Crystal Ball

STARTHOUSE

Does anyone not believe in the “best in the world” now? True, U.S. skiers did not win everything in sight — well, except for Hannah Kearney, who came ridiculously close! But USSA athletes won a boatload and won in every discipline in which they competed. A careful examination of the record books may tell me otherwise, but this year’s World Cup results must have brought more podiums, globes and wins to Park City than ever before.

Just think of the crystal being hauled back across the Atlantic. Lindsey brings home four alpine globes; Hannah, two freestyle; Kikkan and Sarah one each for nordic and jumping. Count them: eight globes, three of which are the really big ones! Three overall titles in one season — how many of us thought we would see the day when the U. S. held the overall titles for alpine, freestyle and jumping all in the same season?

Though she was perhaps bittersweet at the season’s conclusion because of her disappointing GS run at Schladming, Lindsey Vonn’s World Cup results perpetuated her reign as the best alpine racer on the planet, vaulting her to the company of the very few who attained dizzying successes in alpine World Cups past. With 53 wins, Lindsey is poised next season to shoot beyond Anna Marie Moser-Proell’s record 62 wins if she continues at her torrid pace. The goal of passing the 2,000- point mark in a single season is again possible. While that may be a bit of a straw-man record, with Lindsey’s hard work and extraordinary training regimen, one has to think that it’s going down.

Lindsey was not the only alpine racer to attract attention this season. Julia Mancuso had her best World Cup season since 2008, garnering six podiums and landing in fourth position overall. Known for shining in big events, she showed consistency all season and closed the year with solid skiing. Ted Ligety had a strong season as well, culminating with a win in Kranjska Gora. No, the giant slalom globe was not to be his. It went to Marcel Hirscher, who was good in both GS and slalom. So good, in fact, that he earned the overall title. Ligety could not match Hirscher’s consistency, but he amassed more World Cup points (853) bringing him back to his 2008 level and leaving him feeling pretty good about his season.

Juniors have been competing nationwide. Senior editor Hank McKee reviews the regional results from around the country and Ski Racing editors have listed the key junior results at the back of the issue. Soon, Park City will host the first J3 national camp, featuring the 30 top male and female J3 skiers from around the country. Besides a little racing, there will be skills and strength testing. It should bode well for

GEPA

the future.

In this issue, Eric Williams chats with Lindsey Vonn about her astounding success while Hank McKee looks at the new star of the White Circus. Emily Cook, in her Aerial View column, discusses travel and jet lag, two things every world-class athlete needs to understand. Bill McCollom profiles the late beloved masters legend Harold Wescott and, in Finish Line, is happy to go West for spring snow.

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

First-ever women’s ski jumping World Cup champ Sarah Hendrickson

Meanwhile, Claire Abbe, a former alpine collegiate All-American with Denver University, writes about spring racing and what you need to know about mucking around with penalty-point runs.

The Nature Valley U.S. Alpine Championships are being held in conjunction with NASTAR’s finals at Winter Park, which will bring many past champions into the area. It should be a great time, so drop by if you are in the neighborhood. If not, follow the results on the Ski Racing website or with our apps.

One final note; all of us at Ski Racing wish Resi Stiegler a rapid and successful recovery. The fun and skilled native of Jackson Hole already had the return-of-the-year award. Resi, we look forward to seeing you back next fall!

Enjoy the spring, and don’t forget the sunscreen. — G.B. Jr.

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