While I am stepping away from the podcast to focus on my own ski racing career for the foreseeable future, I leave off with a phone call with Lindsey Vonn, the greatest female racer of all time (2:49). It is an insightful, multifaceted conversation. We talk about how retirement has been and what she’s up to now; how she came back from horrific injuries and advice she would give other racers; her favorite spot to race; how she adjusts her ski set-up; dating hockey star PK Subban; and being a celebrity and representative of the sport—all that and more. As always, we read the mail, at the end.   (Questions, suggestions, and grievances to skiracingthisweek@gmail.com or @jimmy_who_ on Instagram)

Tips and Tales

Lindsey Vonn, the GOAT

We’ve got a double-header for you! On this bonus episode we are joined by John Allen, a historian at the New England Ski Museum, and we talk about the very beginnings of ski racing. From the first skiing cultures, to the first competitions, and finally to the formation of Fédération Internationale de Ski (FIS) and something resembling the sport today. It’s an essential, fascinating story. Follow-up info: http://newenglandskimuseum.org/ (Questions, suggestions, and grievances to skiracingthisweek@gmail.com or @jimmy_who_ on Instagram)

Bonus Episode: How the Sport Started

In light of current events, we decided to do our part in having difficult conversations regarding the lack of diversity, or “whiteness,” in ski racing. First, we talk to Andre Horton, former speed-skier on the U.S. Ski Team, and a pioneer for black Americans in the sport (4:45). He speaks eloquently and candidly about his often-poignant story, and gives us valuable insights from his perspective. Then we meet Benjamin Alexander, a Jamaican citizen with an unbelievable story, who fell in love with skiing later in life (44:12). He speaks about his pursuit of 2022 Winter Olympic qualification, and offers ideas about skiing’s diversity problem. (Questions, suggestions, and grievances to skiracingthisweek@gmail.com or DM on Instagram @jimmy_who_) Andre kindly offered for anyone to reach out to him, at Horton.Andre@gmail.com You can follow Benjamin’s story on Instagram @benji.ski  

Important Conversations with former U.S. Ski Teamer Andre Horton and Jamaican Olympic-hopeful Benjamin Alexander

A staple of modern ski racing culture, Slalom Tokyo Drift, featuring the “best of the worst of ski racing,” was founded by Ian Macomber just over a decade ago. We talk with Ian about his blogging-beginnings, what it’s like to have a following of 156,000, his decision to go non-profit, his favorite World Cup athletes, and more (6:10). As always, the interview is preceded by important ski racing world headlines (2:07), and this time, a short comment on current events. (Questions, suggestions, and grievances to skiracingthisweek@gmail.com or DM on Instagram @jimmy_who_). 

Slalom Tokyo Drift, with Ian Macomber

The arc-carving, hip-dragging giant slalom legend Ted Ligety hops on the show to talk about—well, everything that we can possibly get to in the time allotted. We talk about his underdog beginnings, his surprise victory in the 2006 Olympic Combined, his entrepreneurial side, his record-breaking 2012-13 season, juggling family life, and retirement plans… All that and more, in this milestone episode for our quickly-growing podcast. (Questions, suggestions, and grievances to skiracingthisweek@gmail.com or DM on Instagram @jimmy_who_)

Ted Ligety, Mr. GS

We return to our comprehensive conversation with unparalleled ski racing historian Tom Kelly on the entire history of American slalom, from Gretchen Fraser through the Mahre brothers, Kristina Koznick, Bode, and Mikaela (2:58). It’s a history-channel-classic, and it re-airs with new rapid-fire interviews with six Americans on the World Cup slalom squad this upcoming season (1:01:57): Ben Ritchie, Jett Seymour, Paula Moltzan, Luke Winters, Nina O’Brien, and Lila Lapanja, respectively. We top the whole slalom celebration off with two-time Olympian and World Cup podiumer Nolan Kasper (1:24:50). (Questions, suggestions, and grievances to skiracingthisweek@gmail.com or DM on Instagram @jimmy_who_)

The History of American Slalom with Tom Kelly (and Meet the Next Generation)

We take another deep dive, this time into the world of waxes, and namely, the upcoming ban on high fluoro waxes next season. Todd Carroll, North American product manager at Wintersteiger and general ski technician aficionado, joins the show to explain the details, give us the facts, and provide perspective on the whole matter (3:54). We also ask about the merits of liquid wax (35:49), grinding skis (40:32), and what makes a fast speed ski (45:31). As always, we take a caller at the end—this one is from Maine (1:00:14). (Questions, suggestions, and grievances to skiracingthisweek@gmail.com or DM on Instagram @jimmy_who_)

The Deal with High-Fluoro: All the Wax Facts with Todd Carroll

After providing you with skiing jokes for your next awkward chairlift ride, we visit with Victor Muffat-Jeandet over the phone (3:48). He is, of course, the French multi-discipline sensation and Olympic medalist. We talk about who he’s gaming with during quarantine, what it’s like to race against a drone—and what it’s like to race World Cups, for that matter. We also ask him about the Matthieu Faivre Olympic Team scandal and learn a lot (19:06). Then we take another out-of-hand caller, and as always, we read the mail (43:06). (Any and all questions, suggestions, and grievances to skiracingthisweek@gmail.com or DM on Instagram @jimmy_who_).   

Olympic Medalist Victor Muffat-Jeandet

After quickly covering the whole “Health of Sport” deal and reading the mail (3:02), we have a great wide-ranging conversation—everything from race-day mentality, to picking up poop—with Slovenian speed skier Ilka Štuhec, defending back-to-back downhill World Champion (6:40). Then U.S. Ski Team Athletic Development Coordinator Michael Bingaman gives us tips on how we should be working out right now (39:46) and tells an awesome story about his first ski camp (49:43). We round out the week by placing a call to Kristoffer Henrikson (56:10). (Comments, questions, or grievances to skiracingthisweek@gmail.com or @jimmy_who_ on Instagram). 

Defending World Champ Ilka Štuhec and Workout Tips (+ Storytime) from Mike Bing

We visit ski racing history once again with rich tales of the first ski race post-World War Two, from Chris Anthony, former ski racer and Warren Miller extreme skier, who is now working on a documentary about the 10th Mountain Division (5:05). Helmut Wärer finally gives us a call back, too (41:34) and this Mail Reading is the best one yet (1:10). (skiracingthisweek@gmail.com or DM on Instagram @jimmy_who_)

The Ski Racers of World War II with Chris Anthony

We get Lucas Braathen, the young Norwegian meteor, on the phone to talk all things—including his relationship with incumbent Norwegian star Henrik Kristoffersen. We also discuss how he climbed the World Cup ranks so quickly and what he’s doing in quarantine (2:17). Then we air a pre-quarantine in-studio interview with U.S. Ski Team physical therapist contractor Sarah Miller, who illuminates us on the causes of, and fixes for, the widespread ski racer condition called “GS Back” (22:58).  

Norwegian Star Lucas Braathen and a Guide to Ski Racer Back Pains

We bring you another all-encompassing story this week: this time it is a comprehensive look at college ski racing with trusted source, author, and former World Cup speed skier Edie Thys Morgan (3:50). Then we meet World Cup Paralympic skier Connor Hogan, who has an inspiring story (41:00). Finally, we wrap things up as usual but get a surprise call from a now-recurring guest from Long Island (52:21). (Comments, questions, or grievances welcome! DM on Instagram @jimmy_who_ or email skiracingthisweek@gmail.com).

All Things College Racing with Edie Morgan, and Para Profile: Connor Hogan

We are firmly in home-quarantine but the show goes on! First, we talk to Cindy Berlack, a Master’s National Champion and co-founder of the BRASS Foundation to talk about all of the above (3:02). Then, we look at the impact of COVID-19 on injured athletes, as UNH skiers Logan Slattery and Jordan Phillips tell us about their lives under lockdown (20:08). As we near the end of show, we hear from a caller from Boston about the Hirscher v. Stenmark GOAT debate (29:44), and Helmut Wärer gives us a home workout (31:09). We end the show with a short tribute to the World Cup skiers that have recently retired (32:29). (For questions, comments, and greivances, email skiracingthisweek@gmail.com or DM on Instagram @jimmy_who_).

Being Injured During a Lockdown and Cindy Berlack on Master's Racing and BRASS Foundation

We give young Italian slalom star Alex Vinatzer a call to his home in Italy to hear about the situation in the country worst hit by the coronavirus (3:40). Then, we put something together that’s never been done before: Tom Kelly, the unofficial official authority on ski racing history, gives us the entire story of American slalom skiing, from beginning to end (13:20). (For suggestions, comments, or grievances, DM on Instagram @jimmy_who_ or email skiracingthisweek@gmail.com) 

Alex Vinatzer on Situation in Italy and the ENTIRE American Slalom History with Tom Kelly

We catch Tiger Shaw, President of U.S. Ski and Snowboard, to discuss dealing with the coronavirus and check in on general affairs with the Team (3:01). Then we try to forget about COVID-19: my grandfather, a native of central Europe, helps with European name pronunciations (23:05). Thomas Walsh, Paralympian and cancer survivor, meets me in-studio to teach us more about Para and tell stories (31:07). We give U.S. Ski Teamer George Steffey a call but are interrupted by a surprising guest (49:39), and Helmut Wärer is back, with tips on social distancing (53:15). [DM on Instagram @jimmy_who_ or email skiracingthisweek@gmail.com]

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Tips and Tales

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