Report from Wengen
Well well, here we are in Wengen, this place is ridiculous. Such a cool little Swiss postcard village. It has has been a long week. We ended up starting training runs a day early, on Tuesday, in anticipation of bad weather that would force the cancellation of at least one training day. That weather never came and so we ended up running 3 training runs which is a rarity on the World Cup. A lot of racers opted to skip the third training to rest the legs instead. One run down this course, which clocks in around two minutes, thirty seconds, is very taxing!
I was thinking of comparing it to swimming or running, which have races that last roughly the same duration, but those events are held in such a controlled environment. With ski racing the fatigue is similar to running an 800-meter race, but you still have obstacles coming at you at ridiculously fast speeds. At the end of Wengen, your ability to make conscious decisions is greatly impaired because of fatigue. Many runs, it is hard to feel your legs at the end of the course, a feeling that ski racers have dubbed “stumping out” because you feel like that is all you have to work with. The last 15 seconds, which features two quick GS-style turns and a steep jump/dropoff into the finish, has been aptly named “Stump Alley.”
If you are in the right frame of mind, stumping out is the last thing you are thinking of in the start. There are so many critical sections that you need to nail to be a contender here. I am not going to describe them all, but I have a tip for you. The whole course is not covered by cameras, so the spectator misses out on a lot. But the first racer out of the gate every year is trailed by a helicopter that shows his run from top to bottom. If you get a chance to watch the race on WCSN, make sure you check out that first racer, it fills in a lot of gaps in the live coverage.
So today is Saturday, we have all of our training runs behind us, and that storm that they were calling for finally did arrive. It has been snowing pretty hard for most of the night. There is probably close to 10 inches of snow outside our hotel, and I have heard there is quite a bit more up at the top of the course. The forecast is for it to clear out by tonight and be clear for the race tomorrow. We can only hope that holds true. After so much anticipation, it would be a bummer if we did not get to run here!
Click here to see my video weather report from Wengen.
It is up to the Swiss Army now! They serve as the course workers here at Wengen. There are a lot of them, and it will be up to them to clear the track of snow and get it race ready.
So if you are still reading at this point, you must be interested in ski racing and I have a question for you. What would you rather win, Kitzbuhel Downhill or the Olympic Downhill? There are a few who have won them both and solidified their place in ski racing lore, but if you had to choose one, which is the more prestigious title to mount above the fireplace?
I know what most racers think, but I am curious about the readers, so feel free to leave your answer in the comment box.
Thanks, Marco
January 12th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Are you kidding? Kitz! Hands down. Good luck tomorrow.
Signed,
not a ski racer.
January 12th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Awesome video report! Thank you. Do more of those, yeah?
January 12th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
Kitz without a doubt.
history, prestige, stronger, deeper field.
Maybe take on a mantle making project this summer at 10599 Martis….!
Mr. T
January 13th, 2008 at 1:06 am
Kitzbuhel strikes fear in the heart. Impressive to survive and conquer. Really missed it last year.
January 13th, 2008 at 2:29 am
dude your eyes remind me of a husky in that video there so blue haha ok that was random but in any case i say Kitz. as i find the olympics to be more a game of luck then skill … i mean im not saying the olympics don’t need skill but idk its just my observations.
January 13th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
I’m saying the Kitz…the guys who win that race gain legend status.
Nice work on the 7th place today, that course sure looks gnarly and challenging, glad you find it fun!
Hopefully you were able to get a little skiing in with the new snow? Have fun and keep up the fast skiing!
January 14th, 2008 at 7:11 am
For me Wengen DH is the most beautifull race, but I would pick Kitz as a most important one, because the slope is sooo demanding and huge crowd make unique atmosphere.
Olympic DH is another huge event, but it lacks history and often not so difficult course makes it possible for weaker skiers to shine..
January 14th, 2008 at 9:27 am
Kitzbuhel. If you ask the same question of the general public, I think you’d get a different answer - I guess we learned something about the audience here.
January 14th, 2008 at 10:44 am
kitzbuhel!!!!!!!on every olimpycs different course, but kitzbuhel is kitzbuhel!!!!!
January 14th, 2008 at 11:50 am
Just got to watch the WCSN coverage of the Wengen course and pretty sweet, they showed your whole run from helicopter! Also liked the video report you included with the blog, Amle is right, you need to do more of those!!
January 14th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Hi Marco! Keep up the excellent skiing. Your Northern CA family fan club LOVES you and we are rooting for YOU! Isn’t Kitbuhel THE downhill race course of them all? Best wishes & God bless you! xoxo
January 15th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Love the weather report! Kitz has my vote. It has such a history. Congrats on the good finish at Wengen.
January 15th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
Winning Kitzbuhel is more important for sure, unless you just want American TV coverage, then you’d have to settle for Olympic DH. Good luck this weekend Marco. Kick some butt! I’ll be wearing my Marco Rocks hat all weekend in support.
January 16th, 2008 at 9:21 am
M-God,
way to kill it last week. The Kitz awaits and you are ready. Make it happen. If you win Kitz, then I don’t have to. That is my answer.
As for Squirrel Murphy and the A Team-
the West Coast beckons. Park the sleds and bring your flip flops. Don’t worry Mr T, we have beef jerky on the coast.
P diddy? Has the military cut you off from the internet? Barbaric……
January 17th, 2008 at 10:13 am
Hi Marco,
I read that you crashed yesterday in Kitz… I hope that you’re ok in the meanwhile and that you’re going to make great races there!
Concerning your question, I think Kitz, but finishing at the top is always good, or not?
Now it’s my time for a question: About 1 year ago you wrote in your blog that you would soon have a web site… one year passed and nothing happened… or at least, I couldn’t find it………
Are you going to have your own web site sooner or later?????????
Good luck this weekend!
CIAO, Lucia
January 17th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
Thanks a bunch for the video
Truly wish I came to Wengen. But, oh well… Many good wishes for tomorrow and the following days! Hope you will make to the top 10. Wish you all the best to you and the U.S. team.
January 18th, 2008 at 6:18 am
52nd to 10th!!! The numbers speak for themselves. I don’t know how you held that line. Congratulations, Sully!
January 18th, 2008 at 7:32 am
Nice Marco! I was hoping you’d feel strong enough to race after you crashed-Congrats on the 10th!
January 18th, 2008 at 7:33 am
NICE!!!!! Way to go on the 10th place!! That is awesome! Definitely got the bib-o award today! Ready to kick-ass tomorrow!
January 18th, 2008 at 9:39 am
Wow! I am so excited for you. 52nd to 10th!!!! Way to go! Great talking with you this morning!
xoxo
Mom
January 18th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Good luck Marco!! You the Man!! Squaw is sending you some winning vibes….
January 18th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
M-
May the Schwartz be with you!
Godspeed
(whatever that means)
January 18th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
We’re still wearing our Marco Rocks hats.
Rock on!
Good Luck.
Jean and Andrew
January 18th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
Go for Kitzbuhl. Whistler is still two years away.
January 19th, 2008 at 6:23 am
Whoa 3:30 was an early wake-up call to watch you live, but kudos for making sleep deprivation well worth it! Awesome run and great weekend in Kitz! Tip a couple back tonight, they are well deserved!
January 19th, 2008 at 6:31 am
6TH!!! This top ten thing is getting to be a habit with you. Keep ‘em coming! A sad-happy day. God bless Scotty Mac!
January 19th, 2008 at 6:50 am
WOW!!!! 10th yesterday and 6th today!! You are great!!!!!!!
Yes, God bless Scott!
January 19th, 2008 at 10:15 am
Nice work, Marco. You da man.
Reid
January 19th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
MARCO- NICE WORK BUDDY! I LIKE YOUR CONSISTENCY. 7TH WENGEN, 10TH KITZ SG AND 6TH IN KITZ IS AWESOME. I TALKED TO CUCHE JUST BEFORE THE AWARDS AND HE SAID HE HAD THE BEST FEELING OF HIS LIFE TODAY. NO JOKE KITZ IS THE SHIT AND NEXT YEAR IT’S YOUR TIME TO FEEL THAT. JUST GOT OFF THE HILL FOR AN EARLY GS SESSION AT SUGAR BOWL AND THE WHOLE TEAM IS STOKED FOR YOU. IT WAS THE BEST NON POW DAY I’VE HAD. ALL THE STEEP STUFF WAS GROOMED AND I WAS TRYING TO GET THAT BUZZ YOU GUYS HAD TODAY TUCKING IT OUT BEFORE THE PUBLIC WAS UP. DEFINITELY GOT A LITTLE RUSH GOING, BUT NOTHING…NOTHING COMPARES TO WHAT YOU BOYS ARE DOING.
KEEP THE HAMMER DOWN.
KEEP US POSTED ON MAC. SENDING PRAYERS….
D
January 19th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
MARCO!!!!! You RULE! Congrats.
I don’t really wanna say much else after D-money, the Streif god himself just chimed in. Can’t believe you’re not there D. Remember, Han and Kam!
Marco, way to go man. Truly amazing.
January 19th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
Dude-
you are amazing.
As Mr. T said, have a few coldies and revel in your greatness.
I know I will have a few in your honor.
January 20th, 2008 at 1:33 am
Marco,
Good luck in everything, Marco! And congrats to Chelsea on getting married!!
Keep up the good work man, me and my family are rooting for you!!!
-Your cousin,
Melissa
January 20th, 2008 at 8:10 am
mac is awake!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!yey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Congrats!!!!you were da man this weekend in kitz!!!!!keep up the good work!!!!!!kisses and hugs from croatia!!!!!!!!!
January 20th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
wsssshht yeeeeaaah! hi marco. i’m so pumped you’re killing it this year. keep on fire and see you soemtime this season. we’ve had a month straight of powder skiing and my legs ache. had to take a day off to watch some football today. eat some grostle for me! take care and good luck the rest of the year!
kristian
January 21st, 2008 at 9:07 am
Hey Marco!
Congratulation again! You are the best! I’m a big fan of you and I was really happy to see you in kitzbühel! On Friday I had the chance to see you on your way to flower ceremony, that was great! I took a really nice picture of you, also on Saturday!
So man good luck for the next races and I hope you’ll make more of your videos!
Patricia