Yes, this. I spent my 20's and 30's in Aspen chasing those perfect turns at very high speeds. There is nothing like being aware of every centimeter of your ski, feeling in complete control. I can just imagine the rush an elite athlete feels. Read more
During your next interview with her, please let Mikeala know that I have every season of “Friends” on DVD, so she could come over and watch “Friends” with me anytime she wants.
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This is such a great profile! Thank you for your insightful questions. Mikaela seems like a really great person in addition to being an incredible, unbelievable athlete. Read more
That was such a delightful interview, thank you so much! Especially the part where Mikaela talked about records being great and all but being able to feel just that perfect turn or to know that you’re among the best when you gave it your all is unexpectedly relatable. I never thought I’d say that about an Olympic… Read more
And I, absolutely 100% am not the least bit tired of Mikaela Shiffrin. Seriously, I could look, read, watch, listen to, think about Mikaela Shiffrin pretty much any conscious moment. (I’m trying not to be creepy about saying “I think Mikaela Shiffrin is pretty cool” but I think I’m failing.) Read more
I’ve been following the World Cup since its inception, and even raced in college, so I know a little about ski racing. But I simply don’t get the criticism of Shiffrin and the snide little comments made by “fans” and other racers. What she is doing is an historical anomaly, something that no other ski racer — with the … Read more
Greg Wodark-Great article! I love to see ski racing covered with depth and insight. So often, there are articles about Lindsey Vonn in sports publications, that will mention only her Olympic medals, or World Championships, and ignore that she won 4 Overall World Cup Championships ( a season long contest, contest… Read more
An athlete cannot control her reputation. Nor even winning or losing. She can only control what’s in front of her, the next movement, the next turn.
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Another fantastic piece about Mikaela, Amanda. Thank you for continuing to write about this amazing athlete. Love to get your perspective on her season and career.
[I met you at an event featuring Mikaela during the U.S.-hosted World Championships in Vail a few years ago and we chatted about your writing that evening.… Read more
Apart from just enjoying what these athletes do, I love learning from their mental approach. Try that same thought at work or in your own life—I’m not going to be the first to finish a whole week’s worth of work, for example, I’m just going to do this next thing well simply because doing something really well is a… Read more
In ski racing terms, 23 is still young. It’s a sport wherein experienced veterans thrive. Read more
I, too, have realized that staying out of races is the best approach. Read more
I’ve spent a good ten years of my life chasing deep powder freeride snowboard days (a powder addict lol)...but I’ve also worked long race crew days, ski/board instructed, raced a bit of Euro-style alpine snowboard slalom/GS myself, rubbed elbows and became friends with racers of every discipline (even chatting with… Read more
Great article Amanda. The best I’ve read on Shiffrin. I live near Vail and folks have been talking about her rewriting the record books since her tweens. (Even though, at the time, I believe she was attending school/racing back east??) It’s so impressive to see her blow away all these expectations, doing it her way. Read more
That isn’t to say Shiffrin wasn’t exhausted by the end, as was Swenn-Larsson. Read more