Race Day

While outside doing my AM chores I noticed all these big money SUV's with double Thule boxes going by my house. It didn't take long to figure out it was race day at the Peak. It must be a big race 'cause there were a shit-ton of them. Anyway, I love ski racing. I'm not a racer but I ski with plenty of them and have ran my fair share of gates with them. I suck at it, always get late after 2 gates , but I don't care --- it's fun as hell. Unfortunately today was another reminder of just how elite ski racing has become. It also reminded me of these guys at Redneck Racing. I say go fast to all the Redneck races across the country! Kick that rich boy's ass

https://www.outsideonline.com/2274701/redneck-racing

http://www.redneck-racing.com/

Two comments both off topic:

I'm impressed by a guy who has morning chores.

Semi-serious question... what is the price cutoff between big money SUV and regular these days?

IMO anything in the 50's and up

Hey, I have a Buffalo plaid jacket just like that. Gonna have to break that out for a video someday!

I love it when people come up with an alternative to the mainstream way of doing things. Especially when it's clear they really love what they're doing. I mean how many kids whose rich parents paid 30K for them to be on the US Ski Team really have a passion for the sport the way that guy does!

That's why I built Woodstream. It's been referred to as  "redneck ski resort" at times.

I make a decent living but I feel like we are definately in the lower end of things among ski race families.  It’s not an inexpensive sport between gear, races fees, travel, camps, tuning, program fees etc etc.   there are opportunities for financial aid in many programs though.  

On the plus side it has some great benefits for the kids.  Independence, maturity, self confidence, learning to deal with success and failure.  To be able to train and keep grades up is more of a college thing than high school and I think it will make the transition to college easy.  It’s important that the kid loves it and wants to work hard at it.

I was a gate keeper for a men’s Fis GS today at WF and witnessed some great and powerful skiing.  My son got to forerun so he got to see what the next level looks like.  Good experience for him.  

I really admire what the Redneck guys are doing.  It’s great to see what they are accomplishing on a shoestring budget.

At my local ski hill there was ski racing for the general public. The Badger State Games held GS and normal slalom for everybody from 5-85 years old. Bummed I didn’t know about it and I would have joined in on the fun.

Ethan Snow wrote

Hey, I have a Buffalo plaid jacket just like that. Gonna have to break that out for a video someday!

I love it when people come up with an alternative to the mainstream way of doing things. Especially when it's clear they really love what they're doing. I mean how many kids whose rich parents paid 30K for them to be on the US Ski Team really have a passion for the sport the way that guy does!

That's why I built Woodstream. It's been referred to as  "redneck ski resort" at times.

Spare us your dopey social commentary. It doesn't matter how rich you are if your race times are not fast.  Vonn, Ligety, and Shiffrin (243 World Cup FIS podiums) have parents who could afford to move to mountain towns, but I guess these three don't have any passion for racing. If they weren't fast we never would have known their names.

Robby Kelley is the very definition of mainstream for getting to the USST. He is a member of the Cochran ski racing family and grew up running gates at the family ski area in Vermont. His Mom was on the USST for 8 years, his brother and sister were members and he has a couple of cousins who were or are on the USST. He is crazy fast, but his history in WC FIS races is filled with lots of DNFs/DSQs and DNQs and zero podiums or wins.

Kelley was dropped from the USST B team, which was fully funded. The USST has a ton of flaws including charging a price to be on the C team. But, it would have included coaching that Kelly needs to get over the hump. He is not going to fix his flaws without a coach. I hope he can be successful.

FYI - EVERYBODY at the top of ski racing who is considered by the USST has crazy passion and drive in addition to being crazy fast.

yep--TONS of people for the racing (and kids day), but was pleasantly surprised the racing had minimal impact on the mountain as a whole. Sure, Echo was closed. But I can live with that. I love Echo--great trail--but to close it periodically for something that brings solid attention and $ to the mountain, so be it.

Skied it Sunday and it was fantastic. Was really impressed to see that upper start gate all the way at the top...I mean all the way. Those kids must have been ripping on Saturday, and that's a long way to go at those speeds!

Geez maybe you could saver us your dopey know-it-all attitude

I'll give you Robby's start with the USST was mainstream but what he's doing now is far from that. And where did anyone say  Vonn, Ligety, and Shiffrin didn't have passion?? I wonder if the had to set and clean their own course on a daily bases if they would do so.

Or is it your bothered that the greatest US ski racer, Bode Miller, was a Redneck Racer. He gave the USST one big giant FU ---- wouldn't travel with them or train with them. Didn't need coaching either. He had god given talent to take the most direct line known to man and hang on. That can't be taught.

Anyway!! GO FAST REDNECK RACERS!!!!

SIAWOL wrote

yep--TONS of people for the racing (and kids day), but was pleasantly surprised the racing had minimal impact on the mountain as a whole. Sure, Echo was closed. But I can live with that. I love Echo--great trail--but to close it periodically for something that brings solid attention and $ to the mountain, so be it.

Skied it Sunday and it was fantastic. Was really impressed to see that upper start gate all the way at the top...I mean all the way. Those kids must have been ripping on Saturday, and that's a long way to go at those speeds!

Two Super G races at Gore on Echo this up coming weekend for u16/u19 .  My son is off in NH racing 4 SG’s this week.

Z wrote

 
Two Super G races at Gore on Echo this up coming weekend for u16/u19 .  My son is off in NH racing 4 SG’s this week.

NICE!! Go get 'em Lil Z

x10003q wrote

Spare us your dopey social commentary.

Call it what you will. I was just trying to keep the thread going.

campgottagopee wrote

Geez maybe you could saver us your dopey know-it-all attitude

I'll give you Robby's start with the USST was mainstream but what he's doing now is far from that. And where did anyone say  Vonn, Ligety, and Shiffrin didn't have passion?? I wonder if the had to set and clean their own course on a daily bases if they would do so.

Ethan's comments that only rich people can make the USST when $30K is needed are wrong. Yes, it takes big bucks and that sucks, but if you don't have the talent the money does not matter. Using Kelley as an example disregards his unique pedigree and upbringing. I am sure the Cochran's have contacts that could have generated the $30k. He probably could have put a money box in the Cochran Ski Area base and collect the $30K in a few days.

campgottagopee wrote

Or is it your bothered that the greatest US ski racer, Bode Miller, was a Redneck Racer. He gave the USST one big giant FU ---- wouldn't travel with them or train with them. Didn't need coaching either. He had god given talent to take the most direct line known to man and hang on. That can't be taught.

You are misinformed about Bode's Team America. He started it at age 30 after his 11th year on the WC after many titles, gold medals, wins and podiums including being the overall WC winner. Due to his success, he was able to raise huge money to fund the team. He also had THREE former USST coaches and TWO techs (who also coach).

"  Team America consists of head coach John McBride, assistant coaches Forest Carey and Mike Kenney (all three former U.S. Ski Team coaches), team manager Jennifer Holden, technicians Robi Kristan and Heinz Hammerle, agents Lowell Taub of CAA Sports and Ken Sowles and driver/chef Jake Serino."

https://www.skiracing.com/stories/bode-millers-team-america-sets-ambitious-slate

Bode was an amazing, generational talent, but even the great ones need coaching. Kelley has yet to reach 1 WC podium and he is turning 28 in May. No coaching, no techs, no travel help, only makes the racing even more difficult than it already is. Maybe the USST has made the right decision.

campgottagopee wrote

Anyway!! GO FAST REDNECK RACERS!!!!

I totally agree. I hope these guys figure it out.  

x10003q wrote

 

You are misinformed  

LOL --- you get used to it after awhile

You certainly know more about the USST than I do, but wasn't there a time when Bode did say Eff off to those guys?? I seem to remember he did. Up until Bode cam along Alberto Tomba was my favorite ski racer. They both have that Maverick attitude and seemingly throw caution to the wind.

I dont think I ever said that only rich people could make the USST. The skill set and the ability level are two un related issues. Alls I can say is if I were trying to be a professional it would have never happened in my upbringing regardless of my skill level

You didn't ---- X read into what you said --- happens alot here on the intraWebz