Koz knows the challenge Bode Miller faces

One former top-notch racer has some insight on what life might be like this season for the enigmatic Bode Miller, who is embarking on a career independent of the U.S. Ski Team. Kristina Koznick split from the national team in 2001, largely due to her romantic involvement with her coach, Dan Stripp. The two are now married and reside in the Colorado high country.
    “We’re different people, but basically the situation is the same — he’s going to be totally independent of the team,” Koznick said. “It’s a challenge, but a big part of it can be liberating and exciting. You’re responsible for yourself and you have to fend for yourself for everything, and that makes you work harder.”

 
THERE'S NO BLUEPRINT when you’re talking about Bode Miller. He does things his way, a way that differs from that of every other ski racer on the planet.
    Planet Bode is a unique place. But one former top-notch racer has some insight on what life might be like this season for the enigmatic Miller, who is embarking on a career independent of the U.S. Ski Team. Kristina Koznick split from the national team in 2001, largely due to her romantic involvement with her coach, Dan Stripp. The two are now married and reside in the Colorado high country.
    Koznick was among the top technical racers on the women’s tour when she went independent. Miller is forging into independent waters in a possibly historic season, as he’s set to eclipse Phil Mahre’s World Cup wins total. Koz said Miller’s situation is not unlike the one she went through at the end of her career.
    “We’re different people, but basically the situation is the same — he’s going to be totally independent of the team,” she said. “It’s a challenge, but a big part of it can be liberating and exciting. You’re responsible for yourself and you have to fend for yourself for everything, and that makes you work harder.”
    Miller is eligible to race as an American — minus the U.S. Ski Team logo — as long as he meets FIS criteria.
    “One of the hardest things was … I’m not used to having enemies, but having people out on the hill that don’t want me to do well — and I don’t think the ski team would ever admit to that — but it becomes us against them. For me, that was difficult some days,” Koznick said.
    Koznick said financial burdens can be tough for an independent racer, due to heavy travel and lodging costs and paying coaches and support staff. But Miller, through race winnings and lucrative sponsorships, is very stable financially.
    “I think it could be a really positive step for Bode,” she said. “One of the biggest problems I had was money. If Bode has saved enough from the past few seasons, that might not be a problem for him. It might be an exhilarating experience. The only thing he will miss out on is his teammates. His disagreement is not with his teammates, but with the ski team.”
    Koznick added, “For the ski team, if they’re willing to think outside the box, it could be a positive experience for them. But for me, it separated us. I hope they get something out of it, I do. Even though it’s a team sport, they need to try to make it as individualized as possible when you’re dealing with the top five racers in the world.”
    Was it worth it for Koz, who finished her career with six World Cup wins and 20 podiums?
    “If I went back and had to do it all over again, there’s no question I would do the same thing,” Koznick said. “I learned so much in the six years by myself. It was kind of like I was in a mini business school. But also I wouldn’t want to go through the tough times again. It was really difficult. From what I’ve seen and talking with people, things haven’t changed [with the ski team]. They’re exactly the same as when I was on the team.”
    Finding a personal coach will be Miller’s biggest offseason chore. The Miller camp has refused comment since making an initial statement on his decision to go independent.
    “Originally, Dan [Stripp] said no. He said, ‘If we’re going to be dating, I shouldn’t be your coach.’ I searched around and I was trying to find someone else for me,” Koznick said. “I went through the same thing for coaches and techs that I think any team would do. My biggest thing was I wanted them to be Americans. I made a list of pros and cons for each one. Stripper was No. 1 on my list for coaches.
    “I think Bode won’t have any trouble finding someone to work with. It is a risk, but also quite a reward to work with someone like Bode.”