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Mikaela Shiffrin

James

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One cannot point out that the pressure is getting to her and that you wish her well? If you notice my previous post in this thread you'll realize that I do have concern for her well being and any shooting star of a young athlete who's suddenly supposed to be a media darling.
Fair enough. I can only go on the words written which may have been different than the intention. No, did not remember a previous post.

At least Mikaela is highly unlikely to pull a Bode and try to make the point to Americans that the Olympics are a couple of events, the Worldcup a whole season. A la Torino 2006. That, the basically screw over by the piece on 60 Minutes, and his lack of performance was a disaster.
 

Muleski

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Bode had an agent who he refused to listen to......because he was Bode. He had a lot going on at the time, and he really, really blew it. Thank goodness that social media was not like it is today. It could have been worse, to be honest.

Yeah, no chance of that. Nope.

The recent media revelations that Mikaela and Math are a couple is an "about time that this is out there." Was hardly a secret. Now, as to how Eileen is handling it, and how it may be complicating a lot of things, we'll "see" more when those who control her media want us to see more. Not a minute before. She has a great agent, and they are, by all accounts on top of this.

My hope is that she does win the SL, and that "they" reevaluate the wisdom of skiing every event, particularly in a full WC schedule. Can't be done. What we saw in recent weeks was clear evidence of that. Just because on any given day she has the ability, focus, or talent to compete I any event doesn't mean that trying to ski them all is doable, let alone smart.

At 22-23, a few veterans in this sport would suggest that cementing a legacy as the best female tech skier of all time might be the logical next step.

I have no clue who hatched this five events, five medals plan. Because two weeks ago she looked like she was coming apart. When she says that she needs intense training right up until race day "so that my recent muscle memory is dialed in", that doesn't fit with he travel and demands of four events. They all say that the first thing that is impossible is SL, due to the training demands.

If she's not super confident in her SL, she's not good. Let's hope for the best.
 
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trailtrimmer

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Fair enough. I can only go on the words written which may have been different than the intention. No, did not remember a previous post.
.

I totally get it. I don't expect someone who is the most dominant skier in the world to be as smart as Hawking and as bubbly as a gameshow host. Shes a thoroughbred in the starting gate and only has one thing in front of her and on her mind.

Yours and my observations and impressions will always be different from the casual Olympics viewer who expects a cheery young girl and half the time experiences skiing version of the terminator. ogsmile
 

Seldomski

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At 22-23, a few veterans in this sport would suggest that cementing a legacy as the best female tech skier of all time might be the logical next step.

What more does she have to do to cement this? How many wins/years of dominance does she need to prove this? Watching her ski slalom is beautiful. She is a joy to watch.

Best of luck to Mikaela in the games! I am sending good vibes her way. Mikaela - don't let the haters get you down :)
 

Muleski

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What more does she have to do to cement this? How many wins/years of dominance does she need to prove this? Watching her ski slalom is beautiful. She is a joy to watch.

Best of luck to Mikaela in the games! I am sending good vibes her way. Mikaela - don't let the haters get you down :)

In my post, "best female tech skier of all time..." was probably not clear. She is without question the best SL skier of all time, and she just continually crushes this field, with rare exception. Most would consider "tech" to expand from SL specialist to SL/GS.

At one point, her program was pointing toward bringing her to be just as dominant in GS. Consistently beating the field. That has never happened. She has won, she has beaten at one time on another every other woman skiing GS. But, just as she moved forward with it, they also began to ramp up her SG.....and DH.

Just saying that there are a couple schools of thought here, among many in the sport. Some who have coached her and know her well have ZERO doubts that she can win anything, if she trains and focuses on that event, that goal. But, they also tend to say that "something has to give" as it's just exhausting and drawing to continually try to race them all. Continually bring key.

And, given how young she still is, some, a couple of years ago were saying that perhaps holding off on five events {if you include the combined} might be prudent. Perhaps the plan to win in GS just as much as she does in SL would be logical. That's all. She could be the best GS skier on the WC. She's not. She probably could be the best in any event, but not all four at once. And not long ago, people who know her well, and are "in the sport" were concerned that the push for give in Korea might affect her WC SL.

One the one hand you can say it has not, as she's racked up so many wins, and will barring a disaster win the globe. Prohibitive favorite to win the gold. On the other hand, she has a rough couple of weeks, and he need to rest and train became evident. Those who advocated "become the dominant tech" skier are saying that it would have made her the prohibitive favorite for two golds, starting with her first race, the GS.

And, she might have already locked up the SL, GS, and overall globes...by Mid-February.
Just two different ways to look at how her program has been managed.

She's amazing. No question. Haters?? I don't see many haters, at all. You can't hate her. Do some close to this question a few things, sure. But I hope everybody wishes her the best success over the next few weeks and beyond.
I hope quoting me doesn't put me in your haters group.

This could be an incredibly exciting two weeks for her!
 

Seldomski

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No I don't think you are a hater. But I do see some comments in this thread about her personal life that are negative and have a 'hater' quality to them. People trying to infer from TV production things about her personality, personal relationships, etc. People can be charming on camera and be total dipshits otherwise. See also - politics, acting, other pro-athletes, etc.

I'd like to think Mikaela could stumble upon this thread, read it, and get a boost, not the opposite.
 

fatbob

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No I don't think you are a hater. But I do see some comments in this thread about her personal life that are negative and have a 'hater' quality to them. People trying to infer from TV production things about her personality, personal relationships, etc. People can be charming on camera and be total dipshits otherwise. See also - politics, acting, other pro-athletes, etc.

I'd like to think Mikaela could stumble upon this thread, read it, and get a boost, not the opposite.

& that don't say anything about anyone or thing that you wouldn't say directly to their face stifles lots of interesting and relevant debate (as well as gossip of course). Somehow I don't think googling internet forums for her name will be in her psyche prep.

She's interesting because she is a phenomenal athlete yet we don't know how much of the real her we are getting. The bit where she's beaming at the finish line having smashed the competition by 90 secs is real I believe. As for who she is or isn't sleeping with I don't really care she is entitled to a private life.

5 medal hype is stupid. Solid prospect of gold in 2. That doesn't mean cert. 1 other decent contention. The speed events are IMV pure throwaway - if she isn't tired or sick and feels sufficiently on it to not get hurt then by all means roll the dice. But to finish down the field is no tragedy.
 

Tom Holtmann

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FB - I agree with the hype part of your statement. However, I wouldn't downplay her chances in the speed events. She is currently ranked 5th in the world in the downhill so her chances of a podium are hardly improbable. If I remember at the beginning of the year there was quite a bit of skepticism about whether she could even be competitive in the speed events on the World Cup this season and her results caused some reconsideration of that view. The greats are fueled by lofty challenges. So putting aside the hype part of the media attention it will be interesting if she can join the likes of Spitz, Heiden, Phelps, Killy and the other great Olympic all around champions.
 

Karen_skier2.0

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No I don't think you are a hater. But I do see some comments in this thread about her personal life that are negative and have a 'hater' quality to them. People trying to infer from TV production things about her personality, personal relationships, etc. People can be charming on camera and be total dipshits otherwise. See also - politics, acting, other pro-athletes, etc.

I'd like to think Mikaela could stumble upon this thread, read it, and get a boost, not the opposite.

I actually hope Mikaela stays away from all social media and as much of the press as possible. We just need to let Mikaela be Mikaela and let her enjoy the ride.
 

4ster

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Just watched both Shiffrin & Vonn's press conferences, both were good. I am beginning to really believe that Mikaela may actually compete in 5 events if she can maintain healthy energy levels & no one discourages her. I really hope she can pull it off whether she medals in all or not. In the end it should be HER choice not her team, mom or managers, Mikaela should decide what's best for Mikaela. Giradelli, Aamodt, Janica Kostelic were all close to it, Shiffrin may have as good a chance as them. As @Muleski has stated, it is becoming impossible to compete in all events. Circumstances may be even more difficult in 4 years when she is 26.
Get it while you can!!!
 

Muleski

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I think there is a very good chance that she'll complete in all five, at these games.

I hope, again, that people aren't confusing that with skiing a complete schedule of all for events {Five of you include some SC's}. That's what just can't be done, and I would take MS's implosion of three weeks ago, chalked up to being "physically and mentally tired." Exhausted may have been a better word. She simply hit the wall. As many had said would happen.

Tina Maze was the last to truly ski them all, and she simply did not need the training, the rest, and such. Was also coached by her boyfriend {now husband} and not mom. She was older. The record number of WC points was incredible. So, skiing the whole season is different than skiing "a few", and even skiing a few was not good for MS. the comments about her need for training that have appeared....particularly her comment about needed frequent and very recent training to retain recent muscle memory...are telling. I think we can grasp what works. Training and rest.

Thank you, @Karen_skier2.0 and @Tailtrimmer for posting those two clips. I enjoyed the video in the NY times clip. The press conference was nothing earth shattering. A few takeaways for me. One, the woman by her side is Megan Harrod, the USST Press Officer. Megan is pretty social and friendly with the bulk of that group in the room. It was a big group. Note that she called on and "selected" those asking the ten or so questions. Being a cynic, I'd say, the questions were all nice softballs.

She has Lyndsey Young, her PT and fun travel mate there, and Kilian Albrecht her agent. Kili knows everybody, and has great relationships. If anything got out of the barn, no better guy to quickly contain it afterwards. No need today. Her mom was not there. That's unusual.

The heavy storyline is we've been here, we're acclimated, and we're ready. She loves the surface. Cold and aggressive, like CO. And then the explanations of how hard skiing all four {five at the games} is, how she was "tired" and the results, and the "we'll see" when it comes to five.

I think it was quite clear that they want to keep her away from the press and than pressure as much as possible. Once the racing starts, I bet we see a LOT fewer of these things. I thought it was interesting when Megan "invited" people to check out her training and MS said "or NOT!" MS was not joking and I'm sure that Megan heard about it later.

She said they have been there for nine days. Guess so. That would be very odd, IMO, particularly with a group that is over the top protective in terms of avoiding sickness, viruses, etc. I wonder where her team is staying? My guess is that they have a private house, perhaps far from the USA compound , let alone the Olympic Village. I'd bet that we'll see her in either of those places just a few times for the photo ops.

I hope that she has a very good day in the opening GS to set the tone for this. And that she crushes the SL. Then she can play the rest of the slate as it unfolds. I'm betting on all of them.

We'll see how the rest of the season then unfolds and winds up, and whatever changes may take place after that.

I think she's pretty worked up. That's rarely slowed her down in the past!

PS. Not discussed at all is her equipment setup. It appears to be very well dialed, and it has often NOT been in the past. That's a big plus. Right setup and this snow could be real pluses!
 
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Bart Parnell

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I'd like to see Eileen tear Megan Harrod a new one but that's just the parent speaking... If anything the USST PR effort is counter to the athlete's interest.
 

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