Hanging Loose on the Slopes

There was a lovely story this week of American world champion downhiller Lindsey Vonn who wrung an apology from Austrian ski coaches who hinted that her weight gave her an edge over the rest of the opposition.


Having seen pictures of Miss Vonn it’s hard to see what the Austrians are thinking of unless it’s a cunning plan to try to upset the 25-year-old before next month’s Winter Olympics in Vancouver.


But as Vonn said herself: “If weight were the key to success in ski racing, everyone would be stuffing their faces.”


And they are plainly not.


Ski-ing is one of those sports that is fantastically exciting if you are there – like Formula One. The noise, speed, atmosphere are all enhanced by the live spectacle.


I’d argue that you can get just as much excitement from a footy match, golf tournament or cricket Test by watching on the box – or even listening to the radio – but winter sports somehow needs the live experience to help you feel the danger.


I’m a fan of the TV watching variety. Having tried skiing once, at the end of a week of ski school in Austria I was able to turn left and right, slalom a little and stop and that was good enough for me. Nice experience spoilt by the kit.


But seeing downhillers and slalomers hurtling down mountains to the sound of cowbells, cheers and hoots is by far a more satisfying feeling.