I have always been a fan of Mikaela Shiffrin but I think it was very poor how she and Eileen handled Coach Mike Day and his sudden departure. These USST coaches do not make a lot of money, they are on the road away from their family for many months of the year, and it's a tough job planning training, lugging gates, setting courses, coaching athletes etc. Everything is done for Mikaela and to treat coaches like that is not acceptable. Even though Mikaela may bring in the big bucks having a so called "Team Shiffrin" I think it defeats the entire purpose of having a US Ski Team. If she wants to run her own independent team like Bode Miller did for a while, that is fine, but I am not interested in donating money to the USST if the funds are going to one person and not the other athletes. Again I cheer for Mikaela every race, but I also want other USST athletes to enjoy success and be given the support they need to perform. A perfect example is the Palisades World Cup races where the entire men's team was outside the top 15 in both races. Look at the Italian and Norwegian teams as they are much more cohesive group and it shows on the score board!
dude.
I could not disagree with you more -
Mikaela Shiffrin always expresses appreciation for her teammates ( And the U.S. Ski Team ) . always, period. .
( Please) don't think Mikaela Shiffrin doesn't have a lot to do with the financial support the ' US Ski Team' receives through her Success !
( see those corporate Sponsors on the 'US Ski Team' uniforms they wear ?
That's what I'm talking about -
your "donate-ion " gets you a sticker. )
The situation with Coach Day , ,,, is Real.
Ski Racing is 93% Not as glamorous as fans think it is. And
the biggest grind is on the athletes, who have to train maniacly to have any hope of success...
( one of my favorite quotes is Bode -
" When you step in the Start of a World Cup Downhill,
You Have to know : you Are A Badass (!) "
( Bode Miller. 'American Downhiller' ( I think ) )
coaching is A calling - And it is also a 'chosen occupation' --
Mike Day may choose to continue to coach
( he Should very-nearly have his choice of Open jobs -
He has a resume that Only one (other) person can claim :
Seven years > coach for Mikaela Shiffrin.
That IS Success.
enough for now -
I hope you have a great weekend...
peace. skiJ