Insight to Racers

I know immediately that the word "racer" will attract instant hate from almost everyone reading this, but just hold on. Take a minute, and read something. You may change your mind.

I wanted to give all you(us) freeskiers a view into the world of racing, so some of you can see another side to things, and not instantly call it "gay". I want both cultures to accept each other and learn to enjoy skiing for what it is.

For the record, I support all types of skiing. I don't ski to be cool. I ski purely for the enjoyment of being on skis and on the snow. Isn't that is what skiing is about?


Okay:

a) Racers, yes, can be arrogant, cocky, and stuck-up little guys that are insecure and feel that they are better than everyone else. That, however, is a general stereotype, and can actually be applied to some park skiers as well. Most racers aren't dicks, and most park rats aren't assholes either. No need for the hate between the two.

b) Speed suits don't make you instantly "gay". Speed suits are incredibly uncomfortable, cold, and look silly. But they serve a purpose. They cut down air resistance to shave off valuable milliseconds and keep the fabric from turning to molten nylon and burning through your flesh when falling at high speeds due to friction with the snow. A lot of racers don't like speed suits. It comes with the occupation, and as you know, it's a tool. You wouldn't throw big switch tricks without twins, right? (Just because you can doesn't mean you should, haha)

c) Racing is fun. It's an exhilarating feeling being at the top in the start gate, hearing the countdown beeps slowly sounding in and out as you visualize the course in front of you that is about to either challenge you or kick your ass.  Hitting a slalom gate and hearing *whack* the ground is such a fun sound, and quite addictive. Feeling the G forces press you into the turn as you carve around a GS flag makes you want to come back for more. Why do we ski? Because we enjoy it. Why do racers race? Because they enjoy it(most of them). Why do freeskiers ski? Because they enjoy it(most of them).

d) Racing is a good way to improve your all-around skiing ability. You gain access to very experienced coaches that know how to best improve you as a skier. I have one coach named Shannon Schad. Some of you may know him. He is an X-Games skier that has also been featured in many TGR, Warren Miller, and MSP films. He's not a racer. But he knows skiing well, and how to improve you. Racing can improve your confidence in your skiing based on your increased comfort on the snow.

e) You can have a good time with friends while racing. Friends get together, have good training sessions, get to travel around the US to competitions and meet new people and new friends. You can then all hang out and eat afterwards and just have a good time.

f) You don't have to be a strict "racer-only" type of guy(or gal, pinknames). I know many, many, many racers that nab their fatskis after a race and take a few glade-pillow laps or grab their park skis and go k-fed all over rails then throw a misty cork 7 on the next jump. You don't have to be in one discipline, why not sample all the types of skiing? Powder is sick. Booters and rails are dope. And race courses can be loads of fun too, if you want. It's all a head game.


Anyway, I just wanted to give you all an alternate view. You may take it and learn from it, or, as many of you will, proceed to fill my inbox with "kill yurself" and "ur a fagggott" messages. I'm just here as an informant.