Almost all of LV's falls/crashes this year have been the result of three things. The most significant is that you can't come back mid/season, jump on the tour and get much if any SG training volume. She had almost no SG training and we hear quite a bit about how her timing is off, though getting better. Her skiing and crash yesterday were, I think, based on her timing. Underestimated her speed on the steepest part of a VERY steep hill, misjudged the distance, ran a tight line and needed six inches more room.
Secondly, LV wrecked and broke her humerus when she was still coming back from the leg injury. Not like her skiing was all dialed in at that point. And, I won't open the can of worms about her off season training. She is much leaner. As a coach pretty close to it told me "she's a lot hotter, but it's not going to help her win a globe...." She is super fit, but some people think at least 20 lbs lighter.....which changes how she needs to ski.
In a lot of these falls the same thing has happened. She leans into the hill {something she has always done to some degree.....much more when younger} and she loses her downhill ski on her right footers. All THREE of her slides at Cortina were the same. Got rattled by the terrain a bit, lost contact with the snow, leaned in rather than creating more separation. Now....right side, right ski. The right knee has the brace. The right arm has the plate in it.
That is something that she will absolutely be able to "fix" over the summer and fall prep periods. She knows it, he coaches know it, etc.
I think a lot of work may go into her skis. She has been SO much faster that the field that I think in the past she needed really "fast" skis. No question he has them. Now, we have Stuhec in the picture and she has owned the speed events on what are pretty much acknowledged to be absolute rockets. In the grippy snow at Aspen and St. Moritz, LV had some issues. Not Stuhec. My guess is that this will be a priority. Plan on the best.
LV has always thrown it down the hill. But like all of the crafty veterans, they know how do this based on their experience. They know every inch of some of these hills. As a result they tend to manage risk, and know when to do what. Particularly the women. So, as we go into next season, LV will have by far the most experience on most hills, and as much as anybody on the rest. She will know where she can just pin it.
Bottom line. I think you will see her crash a lot less next season. The point that they add up and that one really horrific one could end a career is a good, realistic and sad one. For her to chase her goals she needs to be fast and healthy. She can't focus on health and be fast, too much. But she can ski smart.
I am just excited to see her come forward with such a bold statement that "I am going after it!"
I would have bet the farm up until a month ago that there was zero chance of her skiing past next season.
She has a very strong ego. This being second fiddle to Stuhec is not how she wants to go out. Don't underestimate that. I would not underestimate Gut back gunning for the overall. And Stuhec is going to be overwhelmed with a lot of attention and a whole new set of expectations.
LV, when it comes to competing is hard as nails. Based on what we have seen as of late, my bet is that she will be a force. I would have said less than a one in ten chance back in September. And even less after the arm break. Very glad to be looking totally wrong.
Will be interesting to watch.
