Comments on: No US Ski Team for Women Jumpers in 09-10 http://fasterskier.com/2009/07/no-us-ski-team-for-women-jumpers-in-09-10/ FasterSkier: Cross-Country Ski, Biathlon, and Nordic Combined Racing, Training and News Thu, 09 Feb 2012 03:10:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Jamey Holsteinhttp://fasterskier.com/2009/07/no-us-ski-team-for-women-jumpers-in-09-10/comment-page-1/#comment-540 Jamey Holstein Sun, 19 Jul 2009 00:46:48 +0000 http://fasterskier.com/?p=68672#comment-540 SHAME SHAME SHAME!!!! Marolt and Tom Kelly, you have failed the US Nordic sports community and mandate to promote and increase (relative to population growth) the nordic sports. Luke, you toed the line because you know where your salary comes from. As The Donald say.s..."Your fired" Lets get some 'nads and get a nordic sports/association and national team. Canada and US Biathlon are on the right track! SHAME SHAME SHAME!!!!

Marolt and Tom Kelly, you have failed the US Nordic sports community and mandate to promote and increase (relative to population growth) the nordic sports. Luke, you toed the line because you know where your salary comes from.

As The Donald say.s…”Your fired” Lets get some ‘nads and get a nordic sports/association and national team. Canada and US Biathlon are on the right track!

]]> By: skier1http://fasterskier.com/2009/07/no-us-ski-team-for-women-jumpers-in-09-10/comment-page-1/#comment-506 skier1 Sun, 12 Jul 2009 09:03:30 +0000 http://fasterskier.com/?p=68672#comment-506 I do not think it makes sense to react to lack of external support (IOC) by sabotaging internal support (USSA) for the same skiers who are well deserving of support. A setback in external support should be met by the opposite- very solid internal support. Why are we so rigidly attached to rigidly defined goals? Are we so impaired and inflexible in our goal setting skills that we are using our "goal" ("of winning Olympic medals") to make a backward and destructive choice, one that undermines our progress toward our real long term goals? Why not examine the stated "goals" and make them more representative of what our goals really are? I think the USSA is demonstrating very poor skills in the area of setting, and making productive use of, goals. Regardless of what the IOC does, it is stupid for the USSA to cut womens jumping. Why are we letting the IOC have so much control over our national program, when they are clearly out to lunch? I do not think it makes sense to react to lack of external support (IOC) by sabotaging internal support (USSA) for the same skiers who are well deserving of support. A setback in external support should be met by the opposite- very solid internal support.
Why are we so rigidly attached to rigidly defined goals? Are we so impaired and inflexible in our goal setting skills that we are using our “goal” (“of winning Olympic medals”) to make a backward and destructive choice, one that undermines our progress toward our real long term goals? Why not examine the stated “goals” and make them more representative of what our goals really are?
I think the USSA is demonstrating very poor skills in the area of setting, and making productive use of, goals.
Regardless of what the IOC does, it is stupid for the USSA to cut womens jumping. Why are we letting the IOC have so much control over our national program, when they are clearly out to lunch?

]]> By: JustAnotherSkierhttp://fasterskier.com/2009/07/no-us-ski-team-for-women-jumpers-in-09-10/comment-page-1/#comment-492 JustAnotherSkier Sat, 04 Jul 2009 07:41:05 +0000 http://fasterskier.com/?p=68672#comment-492 Seven xc skiers dropped from the nordic team. Women jumpers dropped. "All In" is now "All Out". I get it now. Oh yeah, pretty new nice new building USSA. Seven xc skiers dropped from the nordic team. Women jumpers dropped. “All In” is now “All Out”. I get it now. Oh yeah, pretty new nice new building USSA.

]]> By: Tim Kelleyhttp://fasterskier.com/2009/07/no-us-ski-team-for-women-jumpers-in-09-10/comment-page-1/#comment-491 Tim Kelley Fri, 03 Jul 2009 17:58:36 +0000 http://fasterskier.com/?p=68672#comment-491 Good posts Kris and Mike. FS … I might point out that as far as extreme sports go – yes, American culture embraces it heartily. But historically I believe the US is “late to the party”. If I’m not mistaken – early extreme sports like extreme skiing, free climbing, base jumping and derivatives started in Europe in the 70s and 80s. Then it spread to North America and morphed to different extreme sports here. So yes – extreme sports are deeply rooted in Europe. And many IOC delegates have Euro roots and live in what is now a time-honored culture of, as Kris says, “risk before talent”. This seems ironic to me. As an American I’ve always considered “old country” Euros as people that cherish tradition more than Americans. So in this light it’s surprising that the IOC doesn’t stand up for jumping in the Olympics more than they fall for ski-cross and boarder-cross. I guess big bucks from networks trumps tradition. Good posts Kris and Mike. FS … I might point out that as far as extreme sports go – yes, American culture embraces it heartily. But historically I believe the US is “late to the party”. If I’m not mistaken – early extreme sports like extreme skiing, free climbing, base jumping and derivatives started in Europe in the 70s and 80s. Then it spread to North America and morphed to different extreme sports here. So yes – extreme sports are deeply rooted in Europe. And many IOC delegates have Euro roots and live in what is now a time-honored culture of, as Kris says, “risk before talent”. This seems ironic to me. As an American I’ve always considered “old country” Euros as people that cherish tradition more than Americans. So in this light it’s surprising that the IOC doesn’t stand up for jumping in the Olympics more than they fall for ski-cross and boarder-cross. I guess big bucks from networks trumps tradition.

]]> By: freeheelshttp://fasterskier.com/2009/07/no-us-ski-team-for-women-jumpers-in-09-10/comment-page-1/#comment-490 freeheels Fri, 03 Jul 2009 17:56:34 +0000 http://fasterskier.com/?p=68672#comment-490 growing a sack would assume that my gender was a female. Quite paradoxical considering this article is about women's sports. McConkey raced Alpine at CU, progressed into big mountain as it better suited his talents. My Point-embrace all athletes and the larger talent pool will produce more quality Nordic Skiers. The only reason Nordic has an ounce of commercial viability these days is because of Sprinting. Which, by design resembles the X factor sports you speak of. If you don't think these guys would make good Nordic skiers your crazy. Using the word ignorant in the place of a differing of opinion was my mistake. Sorry. Bottom line, we need more people in winter sports and have attitude toward any of them is a mistake. growing a sack would assume that my gender was a female. Quite paradoxical considering this article is about women’s sports. McConkey raced Alpine at CU, progressed into big mountain as it better suited his talents. My Point-embrace all athletes and the larger talent pool will produce more quality Nordic Skiers. The only reason Nordic has an ounce of commercial viability these days is because of Sprinting. Which, by design resembles the X factor sports you speak of. If you don’t think these guys would make good Nordic skiers your crazy. Using the word ignorant in the place of a differing of opinion was my mistake. Sorry. Bottom line, we need more people in winter sports and have attitude toward any of them is a mistake.

]]> By: FasterSkierhttp://fasterskier.com/2009/07/no-us-ski-team-for-women-jumpers-in-09-10/comment-page-1/#comment-488 FasterSkier Fri, 03 Jul 2009 13:29:53 +0000 http://fasterskier.com/?p=68672#comment-488 Kris' points about "extreme" sports, and Mike's follow up are very good. One thing to add, however, is that this is not solely an American issue. While there is no question, that the US public seems to gravitate toward the extreme sports more than anywhere else, the promotion of these events on the international level is more wide-spread. The inclusion of skier cross and not women's jumping in the Olympics had nothing to do with the US - this was a decision by the IOC. This issue would be less of a big deal if it was only the US, but because of the pressures of television and the desire to stay "cool" the move to extreme sports is a world wide phenomenon, and one that will ultimately be difficult to slow or reverse. Kris’ points about “extreme” sports, and Mike’s follow up are very good. One thing to add, however, is that this is not solely an American issue. While there is no question, that the US public seems to gravitate toward the extreme sports more than anywhere else, the promotion of these events on the international level is more wide-spread. The inclusion of skier cross and not women’s jumping in the Olympics had nothing to do with the US – this was a decision by the IOC.

This issue would be less of a big deal if it was only the US, but because of the pressures of television and the desire to stay “cool” the move to extreme sports is a world wide phenomenon, and one that will ultimately be difficult to slow or reverse.

]]> By: Mike Treckerhttp://fasterskier.com/2009/07/no-us-ski-team-for-women-jumpers-in-09-10/comment-page-1/#comment-487 Mike Trecker Fri, 03 Jul 2009 13:08:05 +0000 http://fasterskier.com/?p=68672#comment-487 I agree with all that for sure. And Kris you are da man. Especially well put....."Watching the Olympics embrace sports that have origins in the x-games at the expense of traditional events like ski jumping makes me sick. Its about ratings and money instead of good sports and competition." - So true American culture just seems so sucked into the gimmick and the quick and can't really recognize a good thing when we see it. Jumping is so pure and epic, yet so smooth that we can't recognize the epic. And just like you said above, watching people get into the X factor over jumping makes me sick. Seems like American's need things to be jerky and explosive in order to recognize the talent. That's why the slam dunk has dominated the NBA and the purity of the outside shot and great defense has been marginalized. At least until we got waxed internationally a couple of times, now the trend may have shifted back a little. We have this issue in XC also, how many of us are more than quick to get the newest wax or skis but slow to put in the work to make these things effective? My point about the cliff flyers goes hand in hand with the above sentiments. It seems all wrapped up into a big American cultural issue. I agree with all that for sure. And Kris you are da man.

Especially well put…..”Watching the Olympics embrace sports that have origins in the x-games at the expense of traditional events like ski jumping makes me sick. Its about ratings and money instead of good sports and competition.” – So true

American culture just seems so sucked into the gimmick and the quick and can’t really recognize a good thing when we see it. Jumping is so pure and epic, yet so smooth that we can’t recognize the epic. And just like you said above, watching people get into the X factor over jumping makes me sick. Seems like American’s need things to be jerky and explosive in order to recognize the talent. That’s why the slam dunk has dominated the NBA and the purity of the outside shot and great defense has been marginalized. At least until we got waxed internationally a couple of times, now the trend may have shifted back a little.

We have this issue in XC also, how many of us are more than quick to get the newest wax or skis but slow to put in the work to make these things effective?

My point about the cliff flyers goes hand in hand with the above sentiments. It seems all wrapped up into a big American cultural issue.

]]> By: skijumperhttp://fasterskier.com/2009/07/no-us-ski-team-for-women-jumpers-in-09-10/comment-page-1/#comment-486 skijumper Fri, 03 Jul 2009 03:04:20 +0000 http://fasterskier.com/?p=68672#comment-486 kris freeman... you da man kris freeman… you da man

]]> By: kris freemanhttp://fasterskier.com/2009/07/no-us-ski-team-for-women-jumpers-in-09-10/comment-page-1/#comment-485 kris freeman Fri, 03 Jul 2009 01:31:10 +0000 http://fasterskier.com/?p=68672#comment-485 I admit that I have a negative attitude towards so called "extreme sports." I don't respect sports that involve more risk than talent. Certainly jumping off a cliff, gliding through the air in a glide suit and pulling a chute takes practice and skill. However it also takes a lack of self-preservation instinct. I also believe that many more people are capable of pulling off extreme stunts than mastering an age old sport the way Lindsay has. Watching the Olympics embrace sports that have origins in the x-games at the expense of traditional events like ski jumping makes me sick. Its about ratings and money instead of good sports and competition. Resources should be used to promote the sports that already exist instead of inventing and supporting new ones. If people in this country understood the skill and training involved in jumping they could appreciate it more and crap "sports" like skier cross would not dominate TV time. I admit that I have a negative attitude towards so called “extreme sports.” I don’t respect sports that involve more risk than talent. Certainly jumping off a cliff, gliding through the air in a glide suit and pulling a chute takes practice and skill. However it also takes a lack of self-preservation instinct. I also believe that many more people are capable of pulling off extreme stunts than mastering an age old sport the way Lindsay has.
Watching the Olympics embrace sports that have origins in the x-games at the expense of traditional events like ski jumping makes me sick. Its about ratings and money instead of good sports and competition. Resources should be used to promote the sports that already exist instead of inventing and supporting new ones. If people in this country understood the skill and training involved in jumping they could appreciate it more and crap “sports” like skier cross would not dominate TV time.

]]> By: kris freemanhttp://fasterskier.com/2009/07/no-us-ski-team-for-women-jumpers-in-09-10/comment-page-1/#comment-484 kris freeman Fri, 03 Jul 2009 01:11:09 +0000 http://fasterskier.com/?p=68672#comment-484 I meant no disrespect to you Mike. However in response to freeheels. Grow a sack and use your real name. I meant no disrespect to you Mike. However in response to freeheels. Grow a sack and use your real name.

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