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Post by webm@ster on Mar 16, 2008 14:41:59 GMT -5
U.S. skiers Miller and Vonn win overall World CupFor the first time since 1983, Americans captured both the men's and women's titles at the season finale in Bormio, Italy.A historic year for US skiing began with a wedding and a divorce. Six months ago, few expected two Americans to be crowned the best alpine skiers this weekend, winning both the women's and men's World Cup overall title for the first time since 1983. Lindsey Kildow's inability to find the brakes had made her as familiar with crash netting as the podium – until she wed ex-racer Thomas Vonn, who, she says, taught her that "you can't ski at 110 percent all the time." Renegade Olympic medalist Bode Miller, meanwhile, veered into unknown territory – again – when he split with the US ski team after years of disputes. Since then, though, Mr. Miller and Ms. Vonn have skied better than anyone on the planet, shocking a sport that sometimes seems to be little more than a European supper club in crash helmets. Miller is only the second non-European man to win the World Cup overall title since it was established in 1967; Vonn is the third woman. It offers a measure of vindication to Miller – not that he is likely to care – after he emerged tarred, feathered, and medal-less from the 2006 Olympic Games to ski an indifferent 2007 season. For Vonn, still on the upward arc of her career, it provides a glimmer of what could lie ahead. Winning an Olympic gold "is my No. 1 goal," said Vonn in a conference call after the final event of the World Cup season in Bormio, Italy. "But to be honest, the overall title is much more difficult because you have to be consistent." Indeed, the overall World Cup is contested over a series of races that run from before Halloween and nearly to Easter. Points are awarded to the top 30 finishers in five disciplines – downhill, Super G, giant slalom, slalom, and combined – with the first three skiers taking 100, 80, and 60 points, respectively. "These titles are not easy to come by," said Vonn, who bested last year's overall winner, Nicole Hosp of Austria, by 220 points. "It's really an amazing accomplishment." World Cup history bears that out. Only two other Americans have ever won the World Cup overall title, and they both did it in the same year. In 1983, Tamara McKinney became the first American woman to win, while Phil Mahre captured his third – and last – consecutive title. The only other non-European to win was Canadian Nancy Greene in 1967 and '68.
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Post by Four 🍁 Tayback on Mar 16, 2008 14:47:48 GMT -5
Webby likes a very slippery slope.
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Post by webm@ster on Mar 16, 2008 14:55:06 GMT -5
Webby likes a very slippery slope. webby generally appreciates talented athletes
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Post by Four 🍁 Tayback on Mar 16, 2008 14:59:30 GMT -5
As does Let It Bleed.
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Post by supersonic1983 on Mar 16, 2008 15:05:27 GMT -5
Skiing news? Really?
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Post by Four 🍁 Tayback on Mar 16, 2008 15:25:19 GMT -5
Webby likes a very slippery slope. webby generally appreciates talented athletes Sonny Bono. Come on, how much talent does it take to go down a hill at break neck speed and make a few turns ? Seems like it'd take stupidity and a little bit of (liquid)courage. Seriously though, I'm not a big fan of skiing but I respect the sport. I can hardly keep my balance while walking. It's cool to watch once in awhile. Where's the next Winter Olympics ?
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Post by webm@ster on Mar 16, 2008 15:27:17 GMT -5
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Post by webm@ster on Mar 16, 2008 15:28:55 GMT -5
webby generally appreciates talented athletes Sonny Bono. Come on, how much talent does it take to go down a hill at break neck speed and make a few turns ? Seems like it'd take stupidity and a little bit of (liquid)courage. Seriously though, I'm not a big fan of skiing but I respect the sport. I can hardly keep my balance while walking. It's cool to watch once in awhile. Where's the next Winter Olympics ? Vancouver 2010
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Post by Way Cool Jr. on Mar 17, 2008 2:59:34 GMT -5
webby generally appreciates talented athletes Sonny Bono. Come on, how much talent does it take to go down a hill at break neck speed and make a few turns ? Seems like it'd take stupidity and a little bit of (liquid)courage. Seriously though, I'm not a big fan of skiing but I respect the sport. I can hardly keep my balance while walking. It's cool to watch once in awhile. Where's the next Winter Olympics ? If you don't like skiing I suggest you rent Aspen Extreme. It'll change your life.
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Post by Four 🍁 Tayback on Mar 17, 2008 3:04:13 GMT -5
Sonny Bono. Come on, how much talent does it take to go down a hill at break neck speed and make a few turns ? Seems like it'd take stupidity and a little bit of (liquid)courage. Seriously though, I'm not a big fan of skiing but I respect the sport. I can hardly keep my balance while walking. It's cool to watch once in awhile. Where's the next Winter Olympics ? If you don't like skiing I suggest you rent Aspen Extreme. It'll change your life. I may've seen it. Is it older?
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Post by Way Cool Jr. on Mar 17, 2008 4:03:05 GMT -5
yeah, it's from something like '86
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Post by Four 🍁 Tayback on Mar 17, 2008 4:17:25 GMT -5
Alright. Yeah i've seen it, good one. I like 'Better Off Dead' too.
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