It is a super cold morning at the base of Stratton Mountain when I step from my car, -7 and a steady wind. The first thing you saw was there were no lifts moving to the top of the mountain.
That set the stage for an interesting wind hold US master skiing experience.
First, there was the gathering in the Stratton Lodge, a beautiful wood cross beam, high A-frame ceiling, in dark brown wood. About as old school as there is in New England’s big resorts. We discussed the possibility of a canceled race.
Then there was the moment several racers learned of Lindsey Vonn’s crash just a week before the Olympics. Everyone was supportive and hoped the wonder girl had one more miracle.
As we approached the third hour in limbo, everyone was getting antsy. That’s when Polly Schmidt, a yoga expert, stepped forward from her role as a racer and formed a circle . As the stretching session advanced, more racers joined, some still in ski boots. I even joined trying different balancing techniques. It was invigorating, it was the essence of ski racing. Camaraderie and fun rather than worry. It’s going to be a great memory from the best ski season in a decade.
The wind hold kept going.
David Watson took it in stride and calmly sat on the floor, rolling forward with his ski boots rising six feet above in a headstand. Bello Nock would have been proud.
Salamba Sirsasana is a yoga technique known for its energizing effects, he explained to me. As the winner of the National Speed Series, I trusted his judgment.
As the time dragged on, I became aware of how quickly his upside down position became commonplace as patrons walked past.
When he came back to our view of the world, I was one of several who wanted to know more about this skier who literally “flipped our world” for a good quarter hour. As our connections and conversations continued, the wind hold became a part of the race. We had an opportunity to communicate in a meaningful manner and it was refreshing.
The ski race community is so much more than who wins and who loses. The competition is finding the time to do it and then reaping the rewards. Hopefully that time comes as soon as possible.
