Its not my desire to ruffle feathers, but I wonder if anyone will react or respond to a simple question about USST Selection process and the recent announcement of Clif's sponsorship of Lila.
Those are good questions. Not being antagonistic at all. They are questions that most fans are confused by.
Heck one of our family friends was congratulated on his son "skiing on the US ski team." Well, dad explained that his son was NOT on the team, but was in a uniform at a recent World Cup. He didn't get into the fact that this is all self funded by them. The friend, who is a life long skier in a town loaded with ski racers looked at him like he was cross eyed.
And asked....."How can he be good enough to be racing on the World Cup, and maybe in the Olympics, but not good enough to be ON the USST?"
So, yeah, how does this nomination, criteria, etc. work.?
With respect to Lila, all fair game. She's a local. So......she's only 22, she has scored WC points, she was recovering from an injury. She still has big aspirations. So, it just seems weird that she was dropped. Now she is racing the next two days hoping to do well in a NorAm in Loveland, to qualify for Kilington.
Is it odd that one of the USST's biggest sponsors has created a team to help her continue, and make it back to the USST? That looks like an odd use of sponsorship {Though I personally LOVE the whole thing!}.
I think any of that stuff, asked in the nice, smart, respectful way that you will is just fine.
Being a hard sell and a bit of a cynic, I would not expect much in response. But there is value in posing the questions.
Go for it!