SkiRacer55 SkiRacer55 is online now
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Thumbs down Not good at all...
...as you'll also note, Jesse Hunt got to be the flak catcher on this one, explaining that the shrunken USST was a result of higher criteria. Yep, it's a problem, and I don't know what the answer is. Everybody answers to somebody, and what I can't figure out is who Marolt answers to. Is it the board? Is it the trustees? My guess is, they have a totally results based, short term approach to things...let's see two overall WCs last year (forgetting, as Marolt did in an interview from the US Championships, that Bode is not on the USST...), some discipline titles...yep, I'd say we're doing great, and Marolt has a firm hand on the tiller...hand him another $300,000. So regardless of whom he answers to, it probably ain't gonna do me any good to get in touch with the real folks in charge and say "Marolt is stealing your money, and mine, too."

I get letters weekly from the USST asking for donations. The next one I get, I'm going to compose a form letter that basically says "Not a dime to the USST directly...but if you can show me how to route my money directly to an athlete in need, you've got my full attention."

The USST is about to undergo some unfortunate changes, is my prediction. One of the big new initiatives, going forward, as they say in corporate speak, is talent recognition (what a concept...ever hear of scouting before, guys?). The idea being, "let's find the best athletes so we can recruit them to be winning USST racers." Only problem is...most of the best athletes are in the world of baseball, football, basketball, or track and field, where there's fame and fortune to be found, and they ain't likely to be dumb enough to enter a money-losing proposition such as ski racing. Tennis, anyone?
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SkiRacer55 SkiRacer55 is offline
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Exclamation All very good stuff, everybody...
...I think muleski's and srd's insights are especially perceptive. We are definitely at a crossroads. If the FIS can't get its act together, and I have no reason to believe it will, then ski racing will have to change. Ski Racing (the magazine) did an article earlier in the year that basically said that ski racing currently faces a lot of challenges (including but not limited to global warming)...but it'll survice somehow. It'll just have to change. So if the FIS doesn't change, who's to say that interested parties couldn't come up with an alternate circuit? Which is something Bode's proposed.

Assuming that the FIS continues to control racing for some time, which is probably going to be the case, then the next issue for Americans is obviously, So what about the US Team? Well, for all of us who have supported it so far, we have two choices: we can either continue to support the team and try to affect some change to the team, or we can support the racers, encourage them to continue to race and strive for their goals...but outside of the USST. I plan to do the latter.

I think muleski is right on the money in terms of how the board looks at Marolt and the way he is running the team. I've seen a ton of boards of directors in my corporate career, and as muleski points out, it's definitely a good old boys club composed of other CEOs whose only concern is that the guy who reports to them makes the bottom line numbers, whatever they happen to be. Beyond that, in their non-board lives, they're CEOs, and like most other CEOs, they don't care because they don't have to.

However, I do think it's a good idea to point out to the USST board that you can't fool all the poeple all the time, and not everybody in the USSA constituency thinks their decision-making (or lack thereof) is universally wonderful.

We had a similar situation occur a few years back at the University of Colorado in Boulder. to make a long story short, the Men's Tennis team got sacrificed to get the CU Regents to agree with the AD's position that the athletic budget was in trouble, and he needed to cut a sport and garner additional monies to keep the budget in balance...and, oh by the way, to keep funding the football team, which had just spent a lot of money paying off the contract of the former head coach...a whole other story I won't get into here.

CU Men's Tennis, after decades of languishing at the bottom of the Big 12, showed an amazing resurgence to the top of the Big 12 and to #23 in the country, under the tutulage of some great coaches and via the efforts of some truly great and inspired athletes. Those coaches were also my coaches, on the side, and the players were my friends and hitting partners. And I had a lot of local buddies who were in exactly the same position. So naturally, when the cuts were announced, we went out and did a bunch of fundraising...only to be told it wasn't enough to cover a full 3 years of funding. So we petitioned for an audience at the spring Regents meeting. The coaches and a bunch of people from the USTA went and made their pitch, basically to a roomful of glazed eyeballs. As one of the presenters said "They had long since made up their minds to rubber stamp the AD's decision to cut tennis, and they were just wondering what was for lunch."

So CU Men's Tennis was officially dead. Unbelievable, but sadly true. There really was nothing anyone could do, at that point, to reverse the decision. Up to this point, a bunch of us, yours truly included, had been emailing individual members of the Board of Regents at regular intervals, making our pitch and generally trying to sway their opinions, and they, of course, had been telling us they were completely open to a reconsideration of their position, which was, of course, hogwash.

So at that point, I wrote a letter to the Regents, essentially saying, okay...you got what you wanted, but not everybody loves you, and a few of us who have been around the block once or twice know what you don't seem to understand, which is that you rubber stamped a bad decision made by a buffoon, and in doing so, you acted unethically, irresponsibly, and without regard for the sport and the people...the players, coaches, and fans...involved. Guess what happens next? Yep, that's right, we vote with (a) our wallets, so CU never again sees any donations from us and (b) at election time...Regency is an elected position, remember? Beyond that, we don't forgive, and we don't forget, and you best not, either. What you did stunk, and the sooner you realize that and deal with it, the better you'll be able to sort out the rest of your lives. I recommend you do it soon, because it ain't going to go away.

I never got an answer back to that one, which doesn't surprise me, because I was right, and they were wrong in two very fundamental ways: (1) They thought they were doing the right thing, and (2) even if it wasn't the best for a (ahem) Small Minority of People, nobody would notice, and nobody would call them on it.

Well, they were wrong, and so is the USST Board of Directors. I'm in the Words 'R' Us Racket (translation: I'm a professional writer...), so I'm going to draft up a letter along these lines and get it off to the USST Board ASAP. As I say, even if it doesn't change anything, sometimes you have to let the weasels know that somebody is watching what they're doing, after all. Watch this space...
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Muleski Muleski is offline
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Interesting ideas, and times. Keep checking periodically on Bryon's blog. Many people who have much USST experience and ties are weighing in. Also check skiracing.com's forum. Clearly a lot of people are dismayed, and speaking up. I find SRD's perspective to be interesting, and right on the money. This model is broken, and over the long term is not sustainable. Ski racing has to change. Some form of factory teams, and a break {other than Olympics, and WorldChamp's, etc.} from the National teams makes sense over the long haul. But as SkiRacer55 also points out, this slightly political body known as FIS controls the racing today. I think that the issue of tremendous Nationalistic pride, in a factory team setting might be handled much as it is in pro cycling. Some of those teams have a National flavor {USPS a couple of years ago?} You might have a team sponsored by organizations like UBS, Swissair and Nestle, made up largely of Swiss skiers, skiing on Stockli's? Who knows? Right now, the cost is killing the smaller countries, and the cost to the hard goods companies is through the roof. And in North America, we need fans!

Yuki, good points about Bode. Although "the company" may not love him, he has a lot of friends in the sport, and so did Johno and Forest. They were able to train alongside a number of other national teams, and likely split the costs of the hill space, share duties, etc. They shared...novel approach. I think that the only real challenge, other than the massive logistics, was in speed training. You don't show up with a team of 5-6 people and pull off super G training. But you don't do much mid-season, anyways. What I keep in mind about Bode is that he is an absolute rock star in Europe and Scandinavia, and Team America was able to move from vision to reality because he had a huge revenue stream to invest in the operation. My bet is that after his year, the investment has paid off. He may be unique is his ability to pull it off, on the scale he has.

As SkiRacer55 has suggested, the hope for quick change is at the board level of the USST. I actually think it's more specific than that. A lot of the board members are athletes, coaches, etc. The key people on that board are the officers, and others appointed through the foundation. They are the ones that just might give this some consideration. I think honest, rational letters expressing some degree of outrage, and logically questioning this game plan may have some impact. The foundation guys are the power, and the money.

Bill Marolt's not going to be fired. Jesse Hunt isn't going to be replaced, and suggesting that type of action will likely not do much good. However, questioning how they could compensate their top brass for this "performance", and allocate resources as they have is fair game. To me the dumping of athletes still on the rise, the age criteria {which I see as budget control}, and asking athletes to fund their own way is the outrage. It also looks embarassing, I bet, to this group of truly successful businessmen. I'm not sure than any of them would be asking for employees to start paying for parking, closing down the cafeteria and having employees bag their lunches, etc. I keep thinking that the athletes are the key to "the company", the real assets, and yet that's where they're getting cheap. How do you guys run this railroad? You can sell more {ie raise more money}, spend less {and if it's through cutting headcount, do it with non-coaching staff, and non-athletes}. Don't cut the athlete headcount or funding to square your budget.

Do you think the Yankees or Red Sox would be sitting around saying, "well we didn't get the TV deal, and couldn't raise tickets that much, utilities are way up....I guess that we need to go with a three starting pitchers on the staff." Now that I think about it, the teams that can't compete payroll wise dump the older, higher paid players, and then struggle year after year. So maybe it's about that slogan "Best in the World?" My intent in writing is to approach this as: "Surely you folks are busy, and thank you for donating your time and experience, but CLEARLY you can't be aware of this...."

I had a chance to read all of the comments on Bryon's blog last night, and it's pretty amazing to see the breadth of people weighing in. It's a small groundswell, but a real one. There also seem to be a couple of glimmers of hope. There's a reference to a very recent press release or conference by Tom Kelley {USST PR} in which he mentions factually that Bryon has no funding because he did not meet criteria. True. BUT, he also mentions that all A, B, and C team members are FULLY FUNDED. That is either a slip of his tongue, or a substantial change. One of the posters on Bryon's blog mentions that a friend of his heard the other day that while he was previously unfunded, he now will be funded. I'm going to try find out what I can. If that change has taken place, seemingly due to this "activity", that's impressive.

I also noticed that the team is talking about some elite fast track coaching program. Not sure if I have the terminology correct, but it sounds like some type of career pathing, and planning to avoid an empty cupboard after the 2010 games. At least I see it as a public acknowlegment that holding onto coaches is an issue. I still think a big part is compensation, and perhaps a smarter way of managing some time off....which is admittedly a real challenge.

I'm pretty energized about this, which is good, because the rest of the news isn't too uplifting!
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Timing, for a change, was pretty good. The media's trumpeting of America's economic woes didn't roll out in earnest until the 2007-08 ski season was largely cast in history - potentially even a record.

"Snow trumps most issues at the end of the day," National Ski Areas Association President Michael Berry told The Industry Report on the eve of the 2008 NSAA convention, Wednesday through Saturday (May 28-31) in San Francisco.

Poll Question: "Athletes should be allowed to protest on the Olympic podium."Agree

72 Votes (27%)
Disagree

177 Votes (67%)
No opinion

14 Votes (5%)
Agree

crystalmom
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Re: Ski Team Members Named???
Reply #23 - 05/23/08 at 6:12pm

Charitynavigator website, by comparison, says CEO of US Olympic committee made $405K last year, total. Average charity ceo is about $150K.

IDAHO SKI AREA OWNER R.I.P.: Billionaire Potato King Dies Brundage Mountain www.BrundageMt.com

113. NHParent , 3 hours ago | Reply
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USSA just lost the "extra" $100.00 that I include every year in renewing memberships for my kids. That money will now go to NHARA. Not a big deal, unless 500 other people decide to do the same thing. Who am I kidding, that will only eliminate funding for another deserving athlete on the US Ski Team. What a joke.

114. zorpiedoman , 1 hour ago | Reply
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I stopped donating to the US Ski Team when my son, Nick Baker, lost his spot off the team after back to back knee injuries while skiing for the team. He devoted his ENTIRE LIFE to skiing and had they not pushed him so hard and so quick to get back on skies after the first injury, he might not have ever had the second injury, and would very likely be skiing world cup today. They just dumped him like a hot potato even though he only missed the point cut off my two (yes 2!) points. (Even WITH his injuries.) Seemed at the time they were looking for ANY excuse to cut anyone from the team they could. Bogus. Unforgivable. This million dollar salary just burns me.

MAMMOTH AXES 15 MANAGEMENT POSITIONS
May 27, 2008

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SAM Magazine—Mammoth Lakes, Calif., May 27, 2008—Mammoth Mountain has eliminated 15 primarily middle-management positions, cutting the year-round workforce by five percent. The job cuts are expected to save the company approximately $1 million in benefits and salaries, and were, according to resort officials, a response to the weakening economy. The company expects demand for its services to drop as higher gas prices and tighter budgets reduce business. 3w.saminfo.com

according to resort officials, a response to the weakening economy. The company expects demand for its services to drop as higher gas prices and tighter budgets reduce business.

Clemens claims McNamee, his former personal trainer, was "malicious and grossly negligent" when McNamee told baseball investigator George Mitchell last year that Clemens had used steroids and human growth hormone.

www.yardbarker.com/bryonfriedman

lovenastar
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If You want attention to this issue, convince your associates/teammates to just "ski off the hill" at the start of a major competition. They are risking life threatening injuries for next to nothing, and with major sponsorships on the line, (which pay management salaries) you will see major changes in management or the total collapse of the program. When network TV gets embarrassed, they ask a lot of questions, and heads roll. It's like a Union strike, where sacrifices are necessary to get attention and RESULTS. Hang in there, and make your point where it will count.

Black Diamonds: Lawsuit will only hurt jumpers, USSA
CAPE TOWN, South Africa — It is seldom that I find myself not in the athlete’s corner on most issues, but the stink caused by an ill-advised lawsuit brought by U.S. women jumpers against the Vancouver Olympic organizing committee may have far reaching ramifications, none of which could be very helpful to interests of either the athletes or the fortunes of the United States Ski Association.

"Fair and Balanced" is a trademarked slogan used by the American news broadcaster Fox News Channel. The slogan was originally used in conjunction with the phrase "Real Journalism."

Olympic Bosses Must Rethink
Exclusion Of Women Ski Jumpers

Reprint from: The Province - Published: Sunday, January 06, 2008

There is no compelling reason why women ski jumpers should not be allowed to participate in the 2010 Vancouver/Whistler Winter Olympics.

Their exclusion, defended by the International Olympic Committee on the flimsiest of pretexts, risks giving the Games an international black mark for blatant gender discrimination.

To be fair, the IOC is not solely at fault. Foot-dragging by the ruling body of ski jumping, the International Ski Federation, is also to blame. Only in 2006 did the federation finally decide it would let women's ski jumping be included in a world championship event, to take place next year in the Czech Republic.

Such an event is a prerequisite for a sport to achieve Olympic status. So, admittedly, time is short.

But, with such an important principle at stake, it's time to cut the red tape. The IOC has until now resisted pressure from Vancouver 2010 organizers to rethink its 2006 decision not to include the sport. And the women ski jumpers are beside themselves with rage at their exclusion.

The argument from the IOC that there are too few competitors from too few nations is no longer convincing.

The new ski jump at Whistler Olympic Park in the Callahan Valley is getting rave reviews from competitors at events held there this weekend.

It would be a wonderfully appropriate venue to celebrate in 2010 the fall of one of the final barriers to gender equality in Olympic competition.

Click here for the original story.

© The Vancouver Province 2008

Five other venues synonymous with a certain sport:

1. Yankee Stadium (above). Sure, you could pick Wrigley Field or Fenway Park, but around the world, the “House that Ruth Built” is the one people associate with baseball.

2. Wimbledon. The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club is the official name for the site of the famous tennis championship, but you get the idea.

3. Lambeau Field. Maybe it is used for something other than football, but that just doesn’t seem right.

4. Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Yes, Daytona International Speedway works for auto racing, too, but the monstrous facility in Indiana still has more history.

5. Kitzbühel, Austria. If you follow downhill ski racing even casually, you know this ski resort is the home of that sport’s most prestigious race, the Hahnenkamm.

– sportsdesk@nwherald.com

From the Slopes
by Scott Macartney

Main > Skiing > Scott Macartney

« Previous Entries
Fundraising
May 26th, 2008

Happy Spring/Summer everyone!

I just completed 8-9 days on snow out in Mammoth, CA! It was my first time back on snow with the team. I was doing the “return to snow” program but it was great to be back on skis and with all the guys on the team again. Return to snow is basically a lot of freeskiing, drills and working on your movement patterns in a really slow and controlled manor. I spent a lot of time on slalom skis, which allows you to feel the arc of the turn at slower speeds, while still getting the same movement. It was slow and controlled, but I was actually having a lot of fun making turns around the mountain. It was just great being out on snow again. By the last day of the camp, I was running easy GS again.

The weather there was “varied”. It was a tropical 65 or so degrees on the hill one day, then two days later I skied in 4-5 inches of fresh snow. It snowed the last two days of our camp. Crazy!

Other than getting back on snow, I have been busy planning a fundrasier for the Men’s Alpine Team. There are 5-6 guys on the team (including top World cup performers like Bryon Friedman, Erik Schlopy and Dane Spencer) that will be self-funded going into the this coming season.

The fundraiser is a Ski/Golf event, skiing in the morning (dual GS format) and 18 holes of golf in the afternoon. Teams of 4. It should be a lot of fun. We are also hosting a clinic the day before where people can ski with an athlete in small groups and learn from the best. If anyone is interested, send an email to nonprofit.sfi@gmail.com. We are a registered non-profit so all donations are tax deductible. I have included info below. We should have a website put together soon with current info on it, but not at this point.

As for me, I am headed on a surf trip with my brother to Tofino on Vancouver island. Should be fun, as long as I don’t freeze!

Men’s Alpine Ski and Tee
Mt. Hood, Oregon: Skiing at Timberline, Golf at Resort at the Mountain, Welches.
July 19th Schedule:
Registration/Breakfast- Timberline lodge- 6:30am
Clinics with Athletes- 7:00am lifts, 8:30am- meet group.
Video w/athlete- after skiing.
6:30pm- Dinner/ Auction Resort at the Mountain.

July 20th Schedule:
Registration: Timberline Lodge- 6:30 am
Dual GS, Team format- Start time TBD.
Golf: Tee time 1pm, Scramble format. Awards, 6pm.

Pricing:
Total weekend package: $600 *Gold Level* $1000
Just Clinic: 250 (includes ticket, clinic with athlete, training with coaching, video, breakfast and lunch at Timberline)
Just Dinner: 100 (Dinner, Auction, free giveaways)
Just Ski Golf: 325 (includes ticket, race, breakfast at Timberline, 18 holes with cart)
*Gold Level includes recognition of your support on our website and at the event, plus other bonuses

117. Parker , 5 hours ago | Reply
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Your comments to me are disturbing. I'm a USSA coach at a well established USSA club. Many of the kids I train have their sights on making the US Ski Team and skiing at the elite level. At a ski camp just last week end, a lot of us coaches were talking about the dismissal of Zamansky and we found it unsettling. We train our young ski race athletes and we infuse them with the desire to be better ski racers. They train hard both on and off the snow. We share our seal and passion with our athletes. And now we have a nagging thought in the back of our minds - what are we getting them ready for? Are we setting them up for an eventual huge dissapointment?
.))
((.

2. CAGirl , 5 days ago | Reply
+1 pts
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Don't forget Phil and Steve! They did not 'ski with the team' either and yet the USSA was happy to collect accolades (and MONEY) on their behalf. Same with Bode. Let's talk about the elephant in the room, people. Bode didn't leave the team because he was 'misunderstood' or under appreciated. He left because the USSA tried to dip their fingers into HIS private sponsor deals. And they had the balls to do this while he was largely carrying the team (financially) already. Bryon makes a point we should all be listening to very closely when he states that Jake Zamansky has been left off the team despite earning his spot completely in accordance with ACG rules. Jesse Hunt is stating that the team cannot afford to fund the entire C Team while 20+ USSA employees are on their way the South Africa for 'a meeting' spending 10k per person to get there! I echo Dean Nichols: USSA Board of Directors - Where are you guys and what in the world are you thinking ?

Jesse Hunt is stating that the team cannot afford to fund the entire C Team while 20+ USSA employees are on their way the South Africa for 'a meeting' spending 10k per person to get there! I echo Dean Nichols: USSA Board of Directors - Where are you guys and what in the world are you thinking ?

HEAD N.V. Announces Approval of All Resolutions Proposed at the Annual General Meeting


Amsterdam - 29th May 2008 - Head N.V. (VSX: HEAD, U.S. OTC:HEDYY.PK), a leading global manufacturer and marketer of sportsequipment, announces the approval by shareholders of all resolutionsproposed at the Annual General Meeting.The Annual General Meeting of Shareholders of Head N.V. was held onWednesday 28th May 2008 in the Netherlands. Head NV is pleased toannounce that all the proposed resolutions were approved by theshareholders.About HeadHEAD NV is a leading global manufacturer and marketer of premiumbranded sports equipment.HEAD NV's ordinary shares are listed on the Vienna Stock Exchange("HEAD".Our business is organized into four divisions: Winter Sports, RacquetSports, Diving and Licensing. We sell products under the HEAD(tennis, squash, paddle and racquetball racquets, tennis balls,tennis footwear, badminton products, alpine skis, ski bindings andski boots, snowboards, bindings and boots), Penn (tennis andracquetball balls), Tyrolia (ski bindings), and Mares (divingequipment) brands.We hold leading positions in all of our product markets and ourproducts are endorsed by some of the world's top athletes includingRichard Gasquet, Andrew Murray, Ivan Ljubicic, Svetlana Kuznetsova,Patty Schnyder, Amelie Mauresmo, Hermann Maier, Bode Miller, DidierCuche, Marco Büchel, Rainer Schönfelder, Patrick Staudacher, MariaRiesch, Anja Pärson, Elisabeth Görgl, Sarka Zahrobska, Jon Olsson andGianluca Genoni.For more information, please visit our website: www.head.comAnalysts, investors, media and others seeking financial and generalinformation, please contact:Clare Vincent, Investor RelationsTel: +44 207 499 7800Fax: +44 207 491 7725E-mail: headinvestors@aol.comRalf Bernhart, Chief Financial OfficerTel: +43 1 70 179 354Fax +43 1 707 8940

www.skiracing.com/srforums

shockenaugh

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Re: SKI TEAM MEMBERS HAVE TO FUND THEMSELVES
Reply #99 - Yesterday at 10:45pm This is directed to Ski Racing's Gary Black:

Your article states that Bryon Friedman's blog "warps the facts" Okay, then you're the journalist, you could give us some. I think it would be great if someone at Ski Racing clarified all of this.

"Marolt does not earn anywhere close to $700,000" Okay, then what does he make?

"Based on salary studies Marolt's compensation is in line with similar executive pay scales" Okay, show us studies of other heads of national ski teams and similar organizations. What does the head of USA Cycling Team make, or the head of the U.S. Swim Team? (Please don't compare him to corporate CEOs because I've been sending money for most my life and have not been paid much in the way of dividends or financial return on investment.

"Enough said' No Gary, not nearly. We would love to hear more from you on the above. If you think the facts are distorted then supply some.




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RacingFan

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Re: SKI TEAM MEMBERS HAVE TO FUND THEMSELVES
Reply #100 - Today at 9:52am I WHOLEHEARTEDLY AGREE WITH THE LAST POST

Mr. Black since you are the JOURNALIST and want to dispel all lies and rumors then why in the heck do you actually brush over what Marolt actually makes, your statements in that paragraph are not enough, either come out and set out all the numbers or don't say anything

From what I know the US Ski Team is a public organization and there should not be any issues about posting salaries etc... so why the secrecy on Marolt's salary, why do we have to take your word for it that it is reasonable, after all you work for Ski Racing which is the same orginization that has been very slow or failed to report many internal isuses with the team and now you want us to take your word for it, are you kidding!!!!

Also, what about all of the coaches being under paid???

Finally I do agree with you on one item and I said this in a post a while ago; the Team would alleviate itself of many of these problems if they were more open and communicated or explained things more such as you did about Zamansky


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inside edge

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Re: SKI TEAM MEMBERS HAVE TO FUND THEMSELVES
Reply #101 - Today at 1:04pm Mr. Black,
You should be a little embarrassed. Where is your integrity? Why do you feel it is you duty to carry the water for USSA and Bill Marolt. We know you were chosen by Marolt to sit on the USSA board, but please, you first and foremost are the owner and editor of the most recognizable ski racing journal in North America.
Where has been the reporting of this before?
The athletes have point, why aren't you reporting on what they are saying.
Why won't your magazine dig, find the problems, and start looking for the people who have some solutions.
A broad brush approach, discounting completely any merit of the discussion; will not cut it.
For us, the viewers, readers and fans, take advantage of your position for the sake of us. You can be a part of the solution too.
Thank you and good luck Mr. Black, I look forward to further reporting.

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white lightning

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Re: SKI TEAM MEMBERS HAVE TO FUND THEMSELVES
Reply #102 - Today at 3:57pm "Friedman's comments are... reminiscent of the totalitarian lies of the past?"

Kidding, right?

www.skiracing.com/srforums

shockenaugh

Re: SKI TEAM MEMBERS HAVE TO FUND THEMSELVES
Reply #103 - Today at 10:17pm
Wait, wait, wait, Gary - You're a board member of USSA and you don't mention it in your article??? (I guess I am naive, I had to look it up.)

C'mon.

Gary Black, Jr., Ski Racing International, Sun Valley, ID

www.yardbarker.com/bryonfriedman

troywatts , 7 hours ago | Reply
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The first thing I notice is that Gary's editorial is posted safely beyond the reach of any meaningful peer review or public discourse. Ski Racing has no comments section that has become a staple for every credible internet based news outlet. That's why this response is here instead of there. The rhetoric is therefore suspect. While I cannot and would not disagree that any criticism based on facts that are not true should be retracted and clarified, and that Gary's editorial vitriol seems directed at Bryon, it is troubling that the article seems to ignore that there is an awful lot of first hand memory being served up in this thread, most all of which is magically discounted in half a sentence as historic athlete's "very liberal interpretation of reality." Although I'm not sure how such athlete's voices could have ever been meaningfully raised in the first place by expatriated teamers in a pre-internet incarnation of circumstances similar to those of today, what I am sure of is that a lot of the folks whose opinions have been voiced here have a proximity to the facts that are far more credibly situated than those available to Mr. Black over the years from behind the editorial desk. Many of the older athletes, coaches, and USSA members here have had decades to deconstruct their own experience in the context of their ongoing relationships with current athletes, club programs, business, and politics as usual.
Props to Gary for acknowledging that the athletes deserve the courtesy of reasonable notice. Maybe we are getting somewhere after all.
Not sure what "totalitarian lies" Mr. Black is referring to. That one was a bit out of context, and by his own yardstick, without factual basis.

Pym took exception to an opinion piece by Gary Black Jr. published on the Ski Racing Web site that indicated there was
direct funding involved in the settlement. Click here for a link to Black's piece .

Canadian+officials+deny+that+jumpers+received+additional+training+funds


Canadian officials deny that jumpers received additional training funds
Friday, 30 May 2008
CAPE TOWN, South Africa - Canadian officials vigorously denied Friday that their womens jumping team
received any training funds as a result of a lawsuit that was brought by Women& Ski Jumping USA.
CAPE TOWN, South Africa - Canadian officials vigorously denied Friday that their womens jumping team
received any training funds as a result of a lawsuit that was brought by Womens Ski Jumping USA.
“The Canadian womens team did not receive any money,” said David Pym, Managing Director of
the Canadian Snowsports Associatio;They chose not to go the route of bringing legal action. The same
sentiment was echoed by Canadian High Performance Coach Ron Reed.
On May 21, a lawsuit was filed against the Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee (VANOC) for discriminating
against womens ski jumpers under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The women are asking the
court for an injunction requiring VANOC to include women’s ski jumping in the Games, or, alternatively, to exclude
mens ski jumping if it decides to also exclude women.
The Canadian women were part of the suit earlier this year according to The National Post, an Ontario, Canada, paper,
but dropped out when, Ms. Lynch (Canadian jumper Zora Lynch) and her teammates negotiated a settlement
with Vancouver organizers after they complained to the Canadian Human Rights Commission they were being
discriminated against.
Lynch went on to say in The National Post that she was “not really opposed to the lawsuit. Terms of the
settlement were not disclosed by VANOC other than the Canadian secretary for sports, Helena Guergis, promised to
discuss the matter with IOC President Jacques Rogge.
Pym took exception to an opinion piece by Gary Black Jr. published on the Ski Racing Web site that indicated there was
direct funding involved in the settlement. Click here for a link to Black's piece .
Ski Racing
http://www.skiracing.com
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