It's a tough, and sad situation. Even the most optimistic struggle with this. It's hard to discuss it without triggering a variety of opinions and emotions. Even among those who run the USST, there is a lot of conflict on this one.
Julia is the most decorated American skier in Olympic history. She has won medals at the FIS World Champs. She was a phenom going back to Whistler Cup at age 13, then Junior Worlds. Her record there was incredible. Always, always has performed well on the biggest stage, under the brightest lights. No question. And she must be applauded for that.
The people I know who have competed with her, trained with her, and coached her all say that she is the best pure athlete that they have ever seen in a female skier. She and LV are miles apart in that regard. Now, if we creep into the realm of being a bit critical, some of that group would say that the talent let her do real well, and to some degree get by with an otherwise solid WC career...and a long one. It might sound harsh, and it might be unpopular, but she has never been described as the hard worker that say, Shiffrin and Vonn are. And that crowd points to seven WC wins in over 15 years on the WC. "Just seven." Some think that's a great achievement, some think it's falling far short given the talent. And, I think most people realize the USST investment in this.
So now the USST is kind of a "tension convention." We have the now old guard, who not long ago were leading the Best in the World charge. They are all wearing down and even if performing really well, like LV yesterday, or like Ligety in his most recent GS run, they are hurting. Steve Nyman is very slowly coming back from injury. Nolan Kasper has not returned. LV Is seemingly always a risk. Ligety will hopefully have his back hold up. LV skipped a start today with a sore knee.
Until Julia raced in that combined SL leg a couple of weeks ago, she had not raced in over 1000 days. While compared to the average PugSki member, she looks like a kid, she is absolutely not for a WC woman skier. This is going to be her last year.
It's very clear that both of her hips are problematic. It's no secret. Anybody who has seen her makes mention of it. The incredible athlete is in pain trying to walk. The talk that she can competitively ski a WC SG, even if she has trouble walking 50 yards is foolish. I think it's fair to say that nobody likes to hear it, see it, or think about it. One of her last WC wins, six seasons ago, was a SG.
So....even here you can sense that some of us feel that it's over, and that she should just not put herself through this. Nothing more to prove. There are others who say it's her choice, and that if she wants to give it a final Olympic shot, we should support it. The USST should support it.
It's about as polarizing a situation as you see in the sport. My experience tells me that what we're hearing, that this racing is essentially training to help her get back to qualifying for Korea, is strange. Never have seen such a plan. Can almost guarantee that no other nation would do this. So, to my thinking, this has to do more with having her name out there.
I watched the SG again today. More of same.
She's had a career with some tremendous results. She's had moments at the very top. She has a huge personality. And today, she is physically not well.
Can she "improve" in less than two months? I have no idea, other that what I hear. Does she "deserve" the chance? Is this a good use of the USST's resources?
Those questions have some questioning the process. Strong opinions both ways.
At this point, I assume that she'll continue until she can't. I do no know how it will play out. As best as possible for her, I hope.
I'm not being mean, or harsh. Just realistic, I think.
Wish her the best, and thank her for some great days in the big events!
Julia is the most decorated American skier in Olympic history. She has won medals at the FIS World Champs. She was a phenom going back to Whistler Cup at age 13, then Junior Worlds. Her record there was incredible. Always, always has performed well on the biggest stage, under the brightest lights. No question. And she must be applauded for that.
The people I know who have competed with her, trained with her, and coached her all say that she is the best pure athlete that they have ever seen in a female skier. She and LV are miles apart in that regard. Now, if we creep into the realm of being a bit critical, some of that group would say that the talent let her do real well, and to some degree get by with an otherwise solid WC career...and a long one. It might sound harsh, and it might be unpopular, but she has never been described as the hard worker that say, Shiffrin and Vonn are. And that crowd points to seven WC wins in over 15 years on the WC. "Just seven." Some think that's a great achievement, some think it's falling far short given the talent. And, I think most people realize the USST investment in this.
So now the USST is kind of a "tension convention." We have the now old guard, who not long ago were leading the Best in the World charge. They are all wearing down and even if performing really well, like LV yesterday, or like Ligety in his most recent GS run, they are hurting. Steve Nyman is very slowly coming back from injury. Nolan Kasper has not returned. LV Is seemingly always a risk. Ligety will hopefully have his back hold up. LV skipped a start today with a sore knee.
Until Julia raced in that combined SL leg a couple of weeks ago, she had not raced in over 1000 days. While compared to the average PugSki member, she looks like a kid, she is absolutely not for a WC woman skier. This is going to be her last year.
It's very clear that both of her hips are problematic. It's no secret. Anybody who has seen her makes mention of it. The incredible athlete is in pain trying to walk. The talk that she can competitively ski a WC SG, even if she has trouble walking 50 yards is foolish. I think it's fair to say that nobody likes to hear it, see it, or think about it. One of her last WC wins, six seasons ago, was a SG.
So....even here you can sense that some of us feel that it's over, and that she should just not put herself through this. Nothing more to prove. There are others who say it's her choice, and that if she wants to give it a final Olympic shot, we should support it. The USST should support it.
It's about as polarizing a situation as you see in the sport. My experience tells me that what we're hearing, that this racing is essentially training to help her get back to qualifying for Korea, is strange. Never have seen such a plan. Can almost guarantee that no other nation would do this. So, to my thinking, this has to do more with having her name out there.
I watched the SG again today. More of same.
She's had a career with some tremendous results. She's had moments at the very top. She has a huge personality. And today, she is physically not well.
Can she "improve" in less than two months? I have no idea, other that what I hear. Does she "deserve" the chance? Is this a good use of the USST's resources?
Those questions have some questioning the process. Strong opinions both ways.
At this point, I assume that she'll continue until she can't. I do no know how it will play out. As best as possible for her, I hope.
I'm not being mean, or harsh. Just realistic, I think.
Wish her the best, and thank her for some great days in the big events!