Anna Marno Announces Retirement From US Alpine Ski Team

[PisteOff]

Well, that's two of the women now....... And another spot opens up on the women's speed team.

http://alpine.usskiteam.com/news/anna-marno-what-makes-champ

 

[Muleski]

This one is not a surprise, at all. Great kid, and just 24. Been in the team system for many years. Real phenom at 15, 16. Had two bad knee injuries, missed a lot of time. This past year, with quite a few WC starts, she was unfortunately at the back of the pack. Not showing any of the upside of the younger girls.

She's really well liked. Comes from a long time ski family. Brother gave up the team thing to ski in college. She was dropped by the team, and they all positioned it nicely. Class act, she will no doubt do well in her future.

There are no real slots on "the speed team". The USST has a number of available entires for each event and can chose to enter whoever they want. There will be men, in particular racing the full WC schedule who are not going to be USST members. At least two in SL.

It may be the the USST does not enter a full slate in women's speed next year, particularly DH. One of the knocks in the past is that they pushed some of young women before they were ready. I think it all depends on the athletes. There are some talented young up and comers, and some think giving them time to crush the NorAm circuit and Europa Cup is the way to ensure WC success down the road.

Speed typically takes a bit more time, though there are exceptions. All depends on the athlete.

We'll see. Best of luck to Anna.