Dealing with disappointment
Skeleton is such a polarizing sport. At the end of the day, it’s tempting to categorize our performance as either great or shit, but rarely anything in between. Even a decent result can turn ugly when our inner voice convinces us how bad we suck.
Igls was certainly a bad race for me, the worst of my career. I’ve had bad races before but this stands out because I had all the pieces to succeed. Training was going well. My start time was competitive. Something just didn’t click when the start light went green.
Igls has a reputation of being an easy track. It’s easy to get to the bottom safely, but quickly is another story. A small mistake can ruin an otherwise decent run. For me, the mistake occurred in curve 2 and threw off my timing for the rest of the trip. For my teammate John Daly, it happened before he even started. After a great run, he was disqualified for failing to wear his race bib. John is one of the most competitive athletes I know, and one of the best sliders on tour. His disqualification is particularly painful because he won’t earn any world points. Thankfully, our schedule allows him to make up a race in January, but it will be a reduced amount compared to what he would have earned in Igls.
I earned 50 points, and my World Cup rank will drop to 23. Although it’s difficult to take something positive out of this race, I’m trying to keep my expectations in check and focus on our next race in La Plagne. We are a young team, in only our fourth World Cup together. We have the faith of our coaches and we’re in no danger of being replaced. We understand the focus this season is on World Championships in Lake Placid this February. However we can’t afford to make mistakes as we approach Sochi. Thankfully next week is a new opportunity to have a great race.
I can remember a day when I came over your house on swan st and you were on some kind of crazy exercise gadget that mimicked ice speed skating.
It is a vivid memory I have because I asked you what the heck you were doing with a chuckle and you told me then that you wanted to go to the Olympics.
We have been out of touch for many years, but if there is one thing I know about you it is that when you are determined to do something… You do it.
I don’t have a doubt in my mind. Pick yourself up.
And good luck.
I remember it too! It was 1994, because it was the Lillehammer Olympics… We were 13. How about when we raced your skateboard down the hill on Franklin street?
Thanks John, this made my day. It’s great to hear from you, and we need to stay in touch. I’ll be thinking about that skateboard race next week in La Plagne!