The World Cup According to Grande: Bode does it again!

A Kombi win, really?

OK, I’ve had enough! There is so much to write about and so little time.

We all grow up at different rates. We are legal adults at 18, then again at 21. Then we graduate college or some other school and we are in the world. Now we’re grown up for real, right? Well, I don’t know about you guys but wedding day was a big step and then the birth of my son, and that was huge. It changed everything. It was one thing learning to live with and share income with another person. But she is an adult, we could talk about it. Now it was a tiny child who relied on us. Well, what do you think the major shift in Bode is about? His baby? His personal peace, his ability to enjoy the moment, his performance and lack of panic in his racing and off-hill life come from being a Dad. When I was working with him his pace was frenetic, every day in all areas. Now I sense calm. I see a smile I have not seen in years. He is a man, finally, and it shows on the hill too. Congratulations to him in so many ways. I am glad for him and I hope he finds satisfaction in this Olympic Games.

What else happened today? Ivica Kostelic grabbed a silver and Zurbriggen in Bronze. They are good at both events and when it comes together they are tough to beat. Ivica came up as a speed guy originally and always can draw on his junior experience. And while I am not a huge Silvan Zurbriggen fan, he has a broad range of skills and consistently puts it down in Kombi races. Janka 4th, Ted 5th while winning the slalom portion. And I want to give one more shout-out to Will Brandenburg of Spokane, Washington for finishing second in the slalom portion of the Kombi! Great job and I am sure there is more to come!

Do we talk about everyone? Do we analyze it to death? Well I am going to leave it where it is and write a little more as the race shows on TV later in the evening. I do want to say that I was very encouraged by Ted winning the slalom run today and Bode being so close. That slalom hill is not difficult and could favor guys like Ted and Bode.

So Bode was late going into Fall-Away, dumped about 3/10ths and then was late the rest of the way losing time. It put the pressure on the slalom. But it obviously did not matter at all. I cannot say enough about the guys and how hard they are pushing. But it also flips back and forth to the girls’ side. When the team celebrates, they celebrate together and the other gender always attends.  There is definitely some camaraderie but also some taunting, pushing each other further. The women will be there at the celebration and they will hear Bode ask for more out of them on the hill in their next race. And when Ted knocks down a GS medal, he will get up there and ask them again….And they will feel that pride and feel the need to step up yet again. They might not get it done in GS, but after that come the slalom races and everyone entered on that day will feel like they can contribute to the cause.

9 Alpine medals are not out of the question.

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Greg “Grande” Needell grew up ski racing at Stratton Mountain, Vermont. After graduating from SMS he skied for NCAA Division 1 St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY where he was co-captain in 1986. Greg returned to SMS to coach there for five years serving as the Head Women’s Coach as well as the Head J2 Men’s Coach. He then moved to Mission Ridge in Wenatchee, Washington in 1992 to become the Program Director and Head Coach of the Mission Ridge Ski Club. In 1997, Greg became the Head Coach at Mammoth Mountain, California.

In 2002 Needell was asked to join the U.S. Ski Team staff as a World Cup SL and GS coach. From 2002 to 2008 Needell helped lead the U.S. Ski Team Men to 43 wins, 105 podiums and 264 top ten finishes. Now at the helm of Alpine Race Consulting, Needell offers his knowledge and experience to clubs nationwide.

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