lamby Posted February 17, 2018 Report Share Posted February 17, 2018 Ester Ledecka just won olympic gold in alpine ski event tonight. Hardbooters rule! Here is her backstory as reported recently in the failing NY times: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/27/sports/olympics/ester-ledecka-skiing-snowboarding.html 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SunSurfer Posted February 17, 2018 Report Share Posted February 17, 2018 And with that the snowboard PGS will get a whole lot more publicity as she attempts to win gold in both sports. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skategoat Posted February 17, 2018 Report Share Posted February 17, 2018 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Stevens Posted February 17, 2018 Report Share Posted February 17, 2018 And NBC gives it to the skier. Thanks NBC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post lordmetroland Posted February 17, 2018 Popular Post Report Share Posted February 17, 2018 1 hour ago, lamby said: Ester Ledecka just won olympic gold in alpine ski event tonight. Typical day on the hill, a snowboarder comes and ruins things for everyone... 4 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim_s Posted February 17, 2018 Report Share Posted February 17, 2018 I'm laughing so hard, I've literally got tears streaming down my face. This is the Best.Olympic.Moment.of.2018. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunsetsailboards Posted February 17, 2018 Report Share Posted February 17, 2018 here's the non-NBC-Primetime call w/ her full run. her reaction is priceless http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/even-announcers-are-shocked-ester-ledeckas-victory 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yamifumi Posted February 17, 2018 Report Share Posted February 17, 2018 That is crazy but more publicity for alpine snowboard!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digger jr Posted February 17, 2018 Report Share Posted February 17, 2018 Sooo cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zone Posted February 17, 2018 Report Share Posted February 17, 2018 Good write up here https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/feb/16/ester-ledecka-lindsey-vonn-super-g-skiing-winter-olympics 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruincounselor Posted February 17, 2018 Report Share Posted February 17, 2018 Justin Reiter is one of her coaches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sic t 2 Posted February 17, 2018 Report Share Posted February 17, 2018 Ha! That is just great ?? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigwavedave Posted February 17, 2018 Report Share Posted February 17, 2018 (edited) Interesting to see if ski or snowboard racers cross over to each others disciplines in search of improvement in the future. Ester may be an exception as she is obviously an exceptional athlete. But still, this should get the attention of some (open minded) ski racers and their coaches, and the rest will blame it on the wind. Alpine snowboarding always seemed more difficult (and more rewarding) to me than skiing, at least at your typical ski resort. Although, at this level skiing looks pretty demanding, but It seems logical that cross training would be beneficial in many ways. Watching the men's super G, there was a racer (I think one of the top Norwegians) who lost a pole half way down the course and he really struggled without that appendage, even falling over on that side in a turn. I was surprised to see how disabling it was even for a top level skier. Here is the other thread on Ester from December: Edited February 17, 2018 by bigwavedave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patmoore Posted February 17, 2018 Report Share Posted February 17, 2018 (edited) Following Ester Ledcka's stunning upset in the Women's Super G, NBC must cover her upcoming Snowboard PGS race. To ignore this possible history making event would be the equivalent of dumping out the Raiders game to air Heidi. If you're too young to remember that NBC blunder, Google it. In the interests of full disclosure I was an employee of an NBC station a LONG time ago.... Edited February 17, 2018 by patmoore 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billyt. Posted February 17, 2018 Report Share Posted February 17, 2018 Jet game! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beckmann AG Posted February 18, 2018 Report Share Posted February 18, 2018 5 hours ago, bigwavedave said: Watching the men's super G, there was a racer (I think one of the top Norwegians) who lost a pole half way down the course and he really struggled without that appendage, even falling over on that side in a turn. I was surprised to see how disabling it was even for a top level skier. Given that the poles at speed serve a similar purpose to a wire walker's balance pole, it stands to reason that a 'one-armed bandit' might have some difficulty on the course. None would be better than one, but that's a tough move in the moment. 5 hours ago, bigwavedave said: Interesting to see if ski or snowboard racers cross over to each others disciplines in search of improvement in the future. ...This should get the attention of some (open minded) ski racers and their coaches, and the rest will blame it on the wind. Ligety has been out-snowboarding the snowboarders for a number of years already. The big difference is that he's so much better at channeling the rebound developed with the 'stomp' mode, though it's taken a toll on his body. As evident during her SG run, Ester has Frøken Smillas fornemmelse for sne. When you've got it, you're generally going to be faster than a similarly-trained athlete with 'dumb' feet, regardless of venue. If a coach is not constantly looking beyond their discipline for inspiration and resource, that coach isn't doing the job. One has to wonder what Ester's coaches discuss over coffee? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SunSurfer Posted February 18, 2018 Report Share Posted February 18, 2018 Not just "Miss Smillas Feeling for Snow" but feel for "the edge". Carving has taught me what the edge feels like through the soles of my feet. Now it's much easier to find, on one plank, or two! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack M Posted February 18, 2018 Report Share Posted February 18, 2018 Ledecka just became one of the most badass snowboarders in history!! 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted February 19, 2018 Report Share Posted February 19, 2018 So, which is it? 1) Ester is an unusually talented athlete, Bo Jackson on snow, who can learn two separate disciplines at a WC/Olympic level, or 2) Cross-training ski and alpine snowboard has reproducible benefits for both disciplines? Think we'll see any other skiers cross-training alpine snowboard? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SunSurfer Posted February 19, 2018 Report Share Posted February 19, 2018 (edited) False dichotomy. Both. Thought I suspect that EL has an uncommon mix of factors. Wealthy parents bankrolled her until sponsors came on board. She liked both sports from very early on. She is an amazing athlete, though the same could probably be said for anyone winning gold on skis or snowboard. And just to stir the pot. It helps the cross training if you learn how to alpine snowboard like a skier, not like a butt hanging out tailside snowboarder. >:) Edited February 19, 2018 by SunSurfer The last bit is just to poke the fire a little. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patmoore Posted February 19, 2018 Report Share Posted February 19, 2018 (edited) On a MUCH MUCH lower level of competition, I got my 15 minutes of minor fame ten years ago at Steamboat winning my age group in both disciplines. Sharp eyes will recognize Phil Mahre signing autographs in the background of this article in Ski Racing Magazine.. It's been done three times since, most recently by my five-year-old grandson. I really enjoy racing on both and will do so tomorrow at Mount Sunapee for a Vertical Challenge race. Found the upcoming PGS races on the schedule. I had to go to CBS's website to find NBC's schedule! Thursday 2 - 5:30 am NBC Sports Network Friday 11:35 - 1 am NBC Not exactly prime time..... Hopefully that'll change. Edited February 19, 2018 by patmoore 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted February 19, 2018 Report Share Posted February 19, 2018 2 hours ago, patmoore said: Found the upcoming PGS races on the schedule. I had to go to CBS's website to find NBC's schedule! Thursday 2 - 5:30 am NBC Sports Network Friday 11:35 - 1 am NBC Not exactly prime time..... Hopefully that'll change. Pat, I am using Express VPN (monthly fee required) to change my location to Canada and watching the CBC coverage, which I'm pretty sure will stream alpine snowboarding live, has no commercials, and is generally less irritating than the NBC coverage. Looks like the finals will start around 7 p.m. Pacific / 10 p.m. Eastern, that beats waiting around for NBC to dole out a few crappy crumbs of coverage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patmoore Posted February 19, 2018 Report Share Posted February 19, 2018 Thanks Dan! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beckmann AG Posted February 20, 2018 Report Share Posted February 20, 2018 (edited) 19 hours ago, Dan said: So, which is it? 1) Ester is an unusually talented athlete, Bo Jackson on snow, who can learn two separate disciplines at a WC/Olympic level, 1)It's not really two separate disciplines. More like: Same horse, different saddle. If you put the emphasis on finding productive glide on both platforms, rather than trying to learn 'two separate disciplines', it's not particularly difficult to move back and forth from one situation to the other. 19 hours ago, Dan said: Cross-training ski and alpine snowboard has reproducible benefits for both disciplines? 2) Yes and no. 19 hours ago, Dan said: Think we'll see any other skiers cross-training alpine snowboard? 3) Probably not. It's arguably easier to carve a powerful turn on a snowboard, but the subtle movements required for top level skiing aren't readily cultivated on the board, nor would they transfer directly. In short: A ski is to the square, as the snowboard is to the rectangle. Perhaps one of the better things that may come out of this (other than the obvious) is the idea that 'young' athletes can succeed with a diversity of experience, rather than relying on the typical narrow focus that too often leads to burn-out. Edited February 20, 2018 by Beckmann AG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zamboniman Posted March 12, 2018 Report Share Posted March 12, 2018 How do I get a poster of Ester Ledecka? Preferably on the winners podium.Its way too Kool! loving the moment! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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