I need to come clean and admit something here. The men’s downhill has been and always will be, my favorite Olympic event. The downhill is the bull riding event of the Olympics. Instead of an 8 second ride however, you’re expected to stay on for about a minute and a half. It is definitely not ice dancing or, God forbid, Curling.

In the downhill event, the difference between bronze and gold could literally be measured in the time it takes you to blink. And that is exactly what Bode Miller snatched away from the other competitors during the men’s downhill and super G event(s) on Cyprus Mountain.

Like him or not, the guy captures the heart and soul of downhill racing. Lot’s of folks say that he parties too much or is too arrogant and some even may claim he has a touch of Turret’s syndrome when asked about his skiing ability and /or lifestyle choices. My opinion is that these traits are exactly what he needs to win - to be Bode.

The morning that he won the bronze in the men’s downhill, Bode was nervous. Understandably so considering that in a sense, this was almost a comeback of sorts. If you remember, it was four years ago in Turin where after a night of partying he had a dismal showing. This year is different. Bode is now a father of a beautiful little girl (winning the super G on her 2nd birthday), more determined and more focused than ever before.

A lot has been said of Bode. Some good, some really distasteful. Bode’s no saint, don’t get me wrong, nor all things to all people. Bode is just one hell of a fast skier. A skier who goes for broke and is true to who he is and what he needs to be in order to win.

View Original Post at westboundboarder.com

• Filed Under:  
• Olympics, Ski, Sports, Winter Games, Wintersports

• Tags:
• Olympics
• 2010 Winter Olympics
• Vancouver
• Bode Miller
• Mens Downhill Skiing

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