Skiing with Olympian

Enjoy it, don't try to impress, and ask all the questions you want...

I have had the pleasure to meet a number of my skiing heroes, including Olympian Deb Armstrong. All that I have met have been humble, positive, and generous people who love to share their passion for this sport we enjoy so much.

Be real, enjoy the experience, and don't try to be anything or anyone you're not. You'll love it!

No. No.  SSH is all wrong.

First see the G.N.A.R. movie.

Then walk up to the Olympian and say, "I can't believe you're a professional.  I'm so much better than you!"  Many GNAR points for saying that to an Olympic medalist.  Shane McKonkey would be proud!

It's not the first time... and it won't be the last... 

ssh's way works better.  But my way is more G.N.A.R.

"If you think we've got attitude, I'm gonna show you attitude...!" http://unofficialnetworks.com/gnar/

So how do pros react to this?  They know GNAR and think its funny?  Know it, but are sick of it?  Just think you're crazy?

Everybody will think it's funny until about Valentine's Day, and then anyone who uses any lines from GNAR will lose points and be ostracized. We will all return to watching Flight of the Conchords, Business Time.  

But to answer your question, mdf, the point is to not care what people think about it.  If you like the satire, go with it.  If you like the tribute to McConkey, even better.  If you like whacking the snow off the cornice, make sure and do it for at least 30 seconds.

I think the pros in the movie were a little surprised at first when they were accosted.  But everybody gets it now.

I like the idea that, if you think you are the best skier on the mountain, you just announce it, and therefore make it so.  I didn't know it was that easy.

Anyway, see ya.  I'm gonna go rip the sh-t out of some lines.  Watch me.  I'm so much better than you.

Mtwhoosh, my apologies for kidnapping your thread.  Have fun skiing with your Olympian friend.  I think they're pleased to get respect, and usually really good ambassadors of the sport.  If he's normal, be normal.  If he's full of himself, pull the GNAR on him.

Quote:

Originally Posted by weems 

Everybody will think it's funny until about Valentine's Day, and then anyone who uses any lines from GNAR will lose points and be ostracized. We will all return to watching Flight of the Conchords, Business Time.  

 

But to answer your question, mdf, the point is to not care what people think about it.  If you like the satire, go with it.  If you like the tribute to McConkey, even better.  If you like whacking the snow off the cornice, make sure and do it for at least 30 seconds.

 

I think the pros in the movie were a little surprised at first when they were accosted.  But everybody gets it now.

 

I like the idea that, if you think you are the best skier on the mountain, you just announce it, and therefore make it so.  I didn't know it was that easy.

 

Anyway, see ya.  I'm gonna go rip the sh-t out of some lines.  Watch me.  I'm so much better than you.

Just wondered if anyone had actually done it (besides the original Squallywood gang, of course) and what the reaction was.

mdf, the message is timeless: lighten up.

Ironically, Weems is one who has taught me a lot about that. I've been overly serious about everything for a long, long time. Meeting Weems, skiing with him, but more than that watching him live life and connect with others has taught me so much about living in grace and joy.

G.N.A.R. is just another way of saying it...

Lighten up...

Most of those who have been to the top of the sport learned this on the way up. Their public persona may or may not reflect that, but in private, they're real.

Meeting and being coached by Deb, skiing with Stu, Michael, and Robin, learning from Weems, and so many other experiences since I found EpicSki in late 2003 have shown me just how true this is.

mtwhoosh, look forward to it, be real, and record every moment in your memory and as much as you can on video... you'll treasure it!

 Good point mdf.  My son, Packy tweeted it to Peter Olenick the other day.  But they've known each other a long time.  I'll bet the normal skier probably wouldn't do it with someone he didn't know.  And the pro skier would probably already be saying, "That's so old, dude.  That's been going on for almost a month.  Get over it."  

I'm already tired of it, and I've been doing it for about a week.  I will now search for new forms of insults to be applied to a larger audience.  Unless, of course, I get the chance to say it to Didier Cuche.  Can you imagine:  "Cuche, I can't believe you're a professional.  I'm so much better than you.  I can stop and pee while in the air and talking to my mother on my cell phone during the Hahnenkamm and still beat you."

"Just wondered if anyone had actually done it (besides the original Squallywood gang, of course) and what the reaction was."

Quote:

Originally Posted by weems 

 Good point mdf.  My son, Packy tweeted it to Peter Olenick the other day.  But they've known each other a long time.  I'll bet the normal skier probably wouldn't do it with someone he didn't know.  And the pro skier would probably already be saying, "That's so old, dude.  That's been going on for almost a month.  Get over it."  

 

I'm already tired of it, and I've been doing it for about a week.  I will now search for new forms of insults to be applied to a larger audience.  Unless, of course, I get the chance to say it to Didier Cuche.  Can you imagine:  "Cuche, I can't believe you're a professional.  I'm so much better than you.  I can stop and pee while in the air and talking to my mother on my cell phone during the Hahnenkamm and still beat you."

 

"Just wondered if anyone had actually done it (besides the original Squallywood gang, of course) and what the reaction was."

I'm the queen of silliness sometimes.  I hadn't seen or heard of the G.N.A.R. before but it looks like I've been doing similar actions for some time (in good fun).  Most Olympians will laugh or be intrigued enough to come over and talk a bit.  I tried to get Billy Kidd on a peg ski bike last week at Winter Park during SIA - he wasn't having any of it.  On the opposite side - some guy behind me in line for free hot dogs at the Vans booth at SIA tried to impress me by saying he had just won a silver medal at the Winter X Games.  I can't remember my reply but we both ended up laughing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by daysailer1 
On the opposite side - some guy behind me in line for free hot dogs at the Vans booth at SIA tried to impress me by saying he had just won a silver medal at the Winter X Games.  I can't remember my reply but we both ended up laughing.

No no no... I said "Winter Sex Games"... 

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtwhoosh 

no worries.  love the hijack.  I have to get up to speed on the G.N.A.R. sarcasm tip.  Haven't seen it.  I had actually thought of the sort of the same thing.  I was not going to tell any of the people who set it up that I had found out and then just act like I was disinterested when he showed, stoned face ... "Hey... yeah ... so what's up, dude?  I'm sorry, what's your name?  Do I know you?"  Anyway

Pick a copy of Gaffney's Book "Squallywood".  McConkey's game of G.N.A.R. is described there. You'll be dropping BN line's while talking to your mom on a cell phone in no time.

The ultimate Olympic put down:  The story goes that Alberto Tomba, after having one two golds decided he wanted to date Katrina Witt, German the skater, (is that her name? I can't remember).  So he goes to the skating venue, wearing his medals.   And he meets her and congratulates her on her gold medal.  And then he says, I have two gold medals.  Her response:  "Oh really?  What sport?"

Many GNAR points for Witt.

Quote:

Originally Posted by weems 

 Unless, of course, I get the chance to say it to Didier Cuche.  Can you imagine:  "Cuche, I can't believe you're a professional.  I'm so much better than you.  I can stop and pee while in the air and talking to my mother on my cell phone during the Hahnenkamm and still beat you."

 

I'm pretty sure that if I found myself in the air on the Streif, I would pee in mid-air.

Yeah, but without losing your tuck?