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| Giant Slalom Racers Object to a Mandate on New Equipment ::: NEW YORK TIMES |
These days, as the whole ski length debate takes place, and elicits with it a larger conversation about free speech, social media, and the role of governing bodies, we find ourselves at a defining moment for our sport. So it's nice that one of the world's most widely read media outlets is giving the whole thing some coverage. Read the story here. What's the next step?
Happy thanksgiving, let's continue the conversation.
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The athletes need to unionize. I understand some athletes are for the equipment, but if almost all in the top 60 join together FIS would have to make a tough decision: either change the rules back or still have world cups with worse skiers and on worse skis.
ReplyDeleteAs Miller noted lockouts have been apart of sports with the NHL, NFL, and NBA but what other chooses do the athletes have other than playing hard ball with the officials. FIS could still ignore, but when sponsors don't want to pay as much for an event were the best are not even at then FIS we think again.
I agree. The athletes need to become unified in order any changes to take place. Also all parties involved need to be able to express themselves without fear of retribution. This may be easier said than done.
ReplyDeleteBut why should the World Cup athletes put their income and careers on the line, when half of them are perfectly capable of adjusting to the new skis? As I understand it, a number of them are already skiing on skis that nearly meet the new standards, so I would imagine they can learn to ski the "new" skis. The ones who will really be adversely affected are J2s, especially the smaller, less strong ones, who really won't be able to handle the skis. So what can the normal run-of-the-mill ski racer or ski race fan do to influence the FIS? Maybe people have a point who are urging folks to flood the sponsors (Audi, Milka, and so on) with feedback.
ReplyDeleteTheir incomes, their careers. If someone is truly into the sport for the love of a turn then they would stand up up against FIS. The athletes may lose money, but eventually they will make money again once FIS changes the rules back after a strike of some sort.
ReplyDeleteAnd does Warner Nickerson a world cup bubble man look good on them http://www.youtube.com/user/wcnicker1?blend=9&ob=5#p/u/0/76yYnVgbx98
For those J2s start hitting the gym. For the smaller guys maybe slalom specialist.
lockout!
ReplyDeleteLook at what FIS has done to snowboarding, and been able to cram down everybody's throat because they hold the keys to the Olympics:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.economist.com/blogs/gametheory/2011/11/snowboarding-and-olympics