For my eleventh grade public speaking class, I gave a simple survey to ski racers around the state of Pennsylvania, most of them from my small team at Seven Springs Mountain Resort. The survey included just one simple question, “Do you think ski racers get enough credit for what they do?” The results were astounding with a 100% response of “yes.” Why do we all feel this way as ski racers? Here is a list of reasons why alpine ski racing is underrated:
1. Non-racers tend to know very little about the sport.
“Do you do biathalon?” “Do you think you’ll make the Olympics one day?” Do cross country or slalom ski?” How don’t you crash into other racers on the hill?” “Do you like…race…on skis?”. Wrong sport, would you ask me that if I played soccer?, we do more events than just slalom, we get timed individually, and racing on skis is implied in the term ski racing.”
2. Non-racers think they can beat us down the hill
Years of training will beat ignorant cockiness every time. Even in the slight chance you do manage to win on a regular slope, you will lose by at least 5 seconds (an eternity in racing terms) in a race course. Try to beat a ski racer. I dare you.
3. Alpine ski racing is physically demanding
Between the grueling conditioning which is known as off-season dryland training, wearing full-body spandex in -30°F plus wind chill, and high risk for major injury, ski racing is arguably one of the most physically demanding sports in existence.
4. Course conditions are out of racers’ control
Although course maintenance usually does an incredible job, some weather variables are out of their control. Ruts, chatter marks, gusts of wind, or a minor mistake can ruin an entire run.
5. Competition is intense
When I was only a twelve-year-old, all the athletes were handed a wristband that said “Live to ski, race to win.” This was the motto for most of us, but only one winner can exist. To be the one who always loses is heartbreaking. To be the one who wins once in awhile is just as heartbreaking.
6. Alpine racing is mentally demanding
To perform well, all outside factors must be let go and all focus must be on the course ahead. This is incredibly difficult when high-stakes competition creates anxieties among racers. Ski racers are known to feel too sick to eat before a race, vomiting in the start, sobbing in fear of losing, and shaking from the pressure. All of these extreme fears have to be left behind the second a racer jumps out of the start.
7. Alpine racing is a huge time commitment
Like any sport, a few days (or many days) of high school have to be missed. However, between training for hours upon hours, waxing and tuning, and traveling to races states away, skiing and school leave little time for friends, relaxation, clubs, or other commitments.
8. Equipment
We need to keep track of tons of equipment, including helmets, goggles, multiple pairs of poles, multiple pairs of skis, pole guards, arm guards, mouth guards, shin guards, etc. All of these pieces of equipment are expensive by themselves, making ski racing an investment of thousands of dollars. New skis are difficult to adjust to, boots are painful, back protectors make us look big, and chin guards make eating food and drinking from water bottles difficult.
Between these seven reasons ski racing is an extremely underrated sport. Good luck and have a successful season!
