Bode quits USA Ski Team

[highpeaksdrifter]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18631370/

 

[ski_resort_observer]

The Miller family seems to have alot of exciting things going on at the moment.

 

[AdironRider]

I hope he pulls a Nobis and starts doing backcountry extreme stuff.

 

[marcski]

I hope he pulls a Nobis and starts doing backcountry extreme stuff.

I'd much rather see him race independantly on the World Cup and perform at the top of the pack and at least surpass Mahre's win total. (And then after a few years doing that he can go off and do backcountry stuff like nobis...)

 

[nelsapbm]

The Miller family seems to have alot of exciting things going on at the moment.

I wouldnt call it exciting, but I see what you're point at. More like tragic. My thoughts go out to both families.

 

[kingslug]

Damn.

 

[deadheadskier]

I'd much rather see him race independantly on the World Cup and perform at the top of the pack and at least surpass Mahre's win total. (And then after a few years doing that he can go off and do backcountry stuff like nobis...)

and I'd much rather see him stick to the US squad, be a little less selfish, grow up and be grateful for the opportunities/gifts he has.

There are kids who spend their whole lives training for the opportunity he has, only to fall short.

I think Bode is an amazing talent, but sets a poor example for all of the up and comers. It's a shame that a man with the capability of being the best US racer ever is such a primadonna.

 

[tree_skier]

He's back on the bus. I think it is about the RV and other restrictions placed on team members in the last few seasons. It is also a good sign he intends to keep racing.

 

[kingdom-tele]

I love how so many people get caught up in what sets a good or bad example from an athlete, how is he any different from you or me, at least he is doing what he feels is right, i for one enjoy his spirit and think he has a tremendous message to all of us who bother to listen, it isn't about medals or accolades from anyone but yourself, to do your personal best and damn the rest - he's a skier, not the parent of your kid - can you imagine if the media spent half the time talking about the positive stuff he does and the other half with the normal speculation - would everyone still be bent about the " primadonna"

 

[marcski]

and I'd much rather see him stick to the US squad, be a little less selfish, grow up and be grateful for the opportunities/gifts he has.

There are kids who spend their whole lives training for the opportunity he has, only to fall short.

I think Bode is an amazing talent, but sets a poor example for all of the up and comers. It's a shame that a man with the capability of being the best US racer ever is such a primadonna.

I agree with some of your sentiment..But aren't all (with some few exceptions perhaps) top athletes in any sport "primadonna's in some ways or others??

When the US ski team has an exceptional team that consistently puts out the best racers year in and year out, they might have a point about sticking to their team etc. (granted the last couple of years has, I think, seen more overall success than in years past). But, in 2005 when Bode won the overall, wasn't he in his RV doing it his way? It wasn't until after his overall cup win that the team started putting more and more restrictions on him. From what I've read, he has done a lot of his training sans the team in the last few years anyway. Shouldn't make that much of a difference. And, like I said in his earlier post, I hope he has a terriffic season.

In fact, I'm going to stick my neck out and say that this upcoming season might just become one of his best seasons ever. Here's why... Given Bode's intense independant style, being on his own might enable him to focus even more. But more importantly, I think now he's going to feel like he has something to prove....being independant of the team...and again this will enable him to focus and keep his competitive edge. As has been written in many a sports journal, so much of staying at the top is mental...Everyone knows Bode has the talent.

 

[SIKSKIER]

I have known Bode since he was 10 years old.What makes Bode a great racer is exactly what some people like to judge against him.He has always been a person to do it his way.He changed what the percieved right type of ski to race on when he started using shorter shaped skies.This was thought of as so "out of box",he was ostrasized for it.Thank god he has not listened to the way people thought he should be.Go Bode!!
P.S. My thoughts and prayers go out ot his family for the tragedy this past Friday.

 

[riverc0il]

The US Ski Team needs Bode more than Bode needs the US Ski Team. There is absolutely nothing wrong with racers trying to go it on their own. Quite frankly, this may be a good thing for the US Ski Team in a number of ways. The team need not worry about Bode being Bode and having to police him and worry about effects on the team members. On the flip side, the US Ski Team also gets a smack in the face that things on the team are bad enough that the top racer in the US wants no part of the team. The negative out way the positives for Bode. That is a positive if the US Ski Team gets their stuff together. This organization has certainly never stepped up to the plate but rather relied on the occasional superstar racer to lead the way. Most people can rattle off individuals who have gotten lots of medals but how about team years that were really good? Not so much.

Bode sets a good example within context. Unfortunately, little kids on J race teams may only see "Bode Quitting" as being cool. But within context, Bode is trying to be different and trying to change things up... creating an environment that favors his lifestyle and favors his performance environment. Creating a mental setting free of diversion and things that upset his approach and performance. Bode even talked about helping to start up a new race league. Innovative? Reckless? A Leader? Not a Team Player? It is all in context any ways and interestingly enough... most people make these judgments most harshly based on results after the fact. So we can revisit this thread in a year and make judgments then... for better or worse, deserved of undeserved.

 

[ctenidae]

Sucks for the Miller family, sucks even more for McKay's family.

Downhill is an individual sport. Bode is an individual (even, an Individual). He didn't agree with the team, the team didn't agree with him. Why would he stay? Go Bode.