04/24/24
August 11, 2006
Return of a legend: more than 20 years after winning gold in the Sarajevo Olympics, Phil Mahre announced his intention to qualify for the 2007 US Nationals.
posted by lil_brown_bat to other at 08:35 AM - 9 comments
Personal note: in '03, Mahre was one of several US Ski Team alums who raced alongside current team members in a fun race at the Nationals, held that year at Whiteface. This was a dual-format GS, and lemme tell ya, the guy can still bring it. There have been some sad stories that resulted when former elite skiers have tried to get back in the game, but I don't see that happening with Phil Mahre, who in a way never got out of the game. Despite not having competed at the elite level in many years, Mahre has continued to train and race, and I'd say his estimation of what he can and can't do is accurate and reliable. Really looking forward to this! Oh yeah...I also got a photo of Bode Miller eating fence in that same race. He rolled to his feet (skis still on), hopped back over the fence, and continued on his way. Amazing stuff...
posted by lil_brown_bat at 09:00 AM on August 11, 2006
Take a poll......(without reading the link) How many people know who this guy is or what his sport is? posted by lightman at 8:48 AM CDT on August 11 That's why you read the link. To learn. No one is going to know everything about sports.
posted by jerseygirl at 09:04 AM on August 11, 2006
Take a poll......(without reading the link) How many people know who this guy is or what his sport is? I guess this is to be expected from someone who declared, ""Soccer will be as successful here as the metric system." In fact, quite a few people know who Phil Mahre is, although if you're very young you might not. Even coming from a country where ski racing is a minority taste, Phil Mahre did have a lot of name recognition among the general public, and still does. Winning a gold medal tends to do that even with minority sports.
posted by lil_brown_bat at 09:08 AM on August 11, 2006
I agree, lbb, and I remember the glory of Billy Kidd, as well, having had a brother who lived in Steamboat Springs. I wish nothing but the best for Phil in his comeback attempt. I have never understood why, for the life of me, American skiers have not had more influence worldwide, given our facilities here, and the increased participation in the sport over the last 20 years.
posted by mjkredliner at 09:53 AM on August 11, 2006
Phil Mahre? Isn't he the guy that has a talk show on HBO? Oh! Wait, that is BILL Mahre! (thank you, i'm here all week!) I have heard of him and think it would be excellent it he could come back and kick some butt! The ski events is the only reason I watch the winter olympics.
posted by steelergirl at 12:48 PM on August 11, 2006
These days, lots of athletes are competing in their 40's. Still, most of them are part of a team and only get used in specific situations, or at least have help from the rest of the team on any given play. Phil may be part of the ski team, but each run is head to head. The only help he can get from the team (other than equipment tweaks), is the moral variety. I'd love to see him do well, but I have my doubts. Still, I'll be pulling for him.
posted by ctal1999 at 05:25 PM on August 11, 2006
>Take a poll......(without reading the link) FWIW, as a measure of importance/popularity, Mahre shows up as a crossword puzzle answer.
posted by Philfromhavelock at 06:53 PM on August 11, 2006
Take a poll......(without reading the link) How many people know who this guy is or what his sport is? Phil Mahre and his brother Steve dominated the US Alpine Skiing teams of the 1980s, and they finished gold and silver at the Sarajevo Olympics. What you don't know about sport is obviously greater than what you do know, and, I might add, you've provided some really spectacular examples of your ignorance around here lately.
posted by The_Black_Hand at 11:41 AM on August 13, 2006
Take a poll......(without reading the link) How many people know who this guy is or what his sport is?