Ski Racing this Week

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 [email protected] or @jimmy_who_ on Instagram)

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 [email protected] or @jimmy_who_ on Instagram)

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 [email protected] or DM on Instagram @jimmy_who_) Andre kindly offered for anyone to reach out to him, at [email protected] You can follow Benjamin’s story on Instagram @benji.ski  

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 [email protected] or DM on Instagram @jimmy_who_). 

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 [email protected] or DM on Instagram @jimmy_who_)

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 [email protected] or DM on Instagram @jimmy_who_)

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 [email protected] or DM on Instagram @jimmy_who_)

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 [email protected] or DM on Instagram @jimmy_who_).   

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 [email protected] or @jimmy_who_ on Instagram). 

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). ([email protected] or DM on Instagram @jimmy_who_)