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funkboy · Feb 18, 2006, 02:57 PM

Lindsey Jacobellis was far out in the lead in the snowboard cross (race) competition yesterday, and two jumps before the end she decided to do a small trick and grab her board on a jump. She didn't land the trick, though, and wiped out, costing her (and the U.S.) a gold medal.

This article at Yahoo says many snowboarders are applauding her, saying it's good that she got a little excited.

I disagree. Showboating is not in the Olympic spirit. She has not admitted that she showboated. In a race scored only on speed to the finish line, trying to pull off a trick is showboating. Same as an NFL player doing a stutter step dance before stepping into the end zone after a big catch. It would be like a 1600m runner at the summer olympics looking behind him (something Lindsey did right before the ill-performed trick), seeing his large lead, and deciding to break his stride, thus slowing down, and performing some flashy thing to the crowd. That is not doing your best, that is showboating.

If style points had any bearing on the scoring, then fine. If this were the half pipe, or the mogul event with jumps scored for style, then a trick would have been appropriate. But this was only about speed. I cannot say I am disgusted, but I am disappointed in her, and disappointed that people are encouraging this kind of behavior. I would be just as unhappy if a speed skater started doing little back and forth designs in the ice when the race is clearly won.

From the Yahoo article:

[ The trick was ] not necessarily a bad thing in the world of snowboarding.
The sport is about style and flair...

Ice skating is all about style, too - figure skating. A speed skater has "style," too, just not the same kind of style that a figure skater has. This was snowboard cross, not the halfpipe.

I know Jacobellis will be living with this for the rest of her life, so I'm sure she will feel bad enough about it. I don't think it will be easy to live it down, unless people start *applauding* her for it. Which I don't think should happen.

Do you agree?

Dork. · Feb 18, 2006, 03:07 PM

Wait... the Olympics are on? When did that happen?

Didn't we already have one of these, like, two years ago or something?

iomatic · Feb 18, 2006, 03:07 PM

Being a snowboarder who likes the pipe and style, I totally agree with you.

This was Snowboard Cross, not the halfpipe. She blew it; and this may go down as one of the biggest blunders in sports history. I was disappointed when I saw the fall. She landed with her legs too straight; if she was a jib-type rider, she would have done it right. Oh well.

IceEnclosure · Feb 18, 2006, 04:39 PM

I was embarrassed when it happened! Jeez, c'mon..

:: turn around, see that the next competitor is 100+ feet behind you ::

METHOD AIR, yea, good idea! : \

Of course, had she not caught her ass on the snow we'd all be like 'hell yea, ya see that method she did at the end?!'

Apple Pro Underwear · Feb 18, 2006, 05:00 PM

it's like when a NBA player tries to do a reverse dunk during a critical game and misses.

so yes, it was dumb as hell.

___________

I'm willing to cut her some slack since nobody is watching or caring about the Olympics, any excitement she tries to bring is good. probably a gold metal might have been better... but whatev.

thunderous_funker · Feb 18, 2006, 06:03 PM

Dumb or not, showboating or not, I guess I'm wondering why the hell anyone should be "disappointed" other than her. And from what I can tell she doesn't really seem all that bothered by it. She's young, talented and probably doesn't think its that big a deal to have lost a race--even a race she could and should have won.

Its her race. Its her Olympics. She doesn't owe anyone anything. So again, why should some coach potato be upset by something that has absolutely nothing to do with them?

jjlannoo · Feb 18, 2006, 06:51 PM

Originally Posted by thunderous_funker

Dumb or not, showboating or not, I guess I'm wondering why the hell anyone should be "disappointed" other than her. And from what I can tell she doesn't really seem all that bothered by it. She's young, talented and probably doesn't think its that big a deal to have lost a race--even a race she could and should have won.

Its her race. Its her Olympics. She doesn't owe anyone anything. So again, why should some coach potato be upset by something that has absolutely nothing to do with them?

I disagree with this. The modern olympics has always been about representing your country. I'm sure she regrets it.

thunderous_funker · Feb 18, 2006, 07:10 PM

Originally Posted by jjlannoo

I disagree with this. The modern olympics has always been about representing your country. I'm sure she regrets it.

The interview I saw after the race, she laughed about it.

She's 20. She makes a pretty good living snowboarding. With hindsight she is realizing the biggest fallout of her goof is that she'll lose a lot of endorsement money.

How's that for the precious Olympic spirit?

Get over it. I realize that the uber-patriotism thing is beat into our skulls by the marketing schills who peddle the Olympics, but gimme a break.

Yes, there are athletes who spend their entire lives pursuing their Olympic moment. Yes, I can be suckered into the Drama of Sport (I'm a big sports fan, actually). And yes, the Olympics offers some unique drama because many of those sports have no other showcase.

Again, she's 20 and she snowboards for a living. She'll be snowboarding 2 weeks from now. She's be snowboarding the rest of her life, probably. I get the distinct impression she's just having fun and while the Olympics are cool, she'd be on the slopes anyway even if no one was watching. And she gets PAID to do it.

I know everyone really wants to live vicariously through these kids. Their parents, coaches, sponsors and a nation of fat people. Seems to me that showing up, having fun, being gracious in victory or defeat and recognizing that its just a race is remarkably healthy. Maybe the Olympics should be more about that. Maybe she's got the spirit everyone esle should be cultivating?

funkboy · Feb 18, 2006, 07:35 PM

Originally Posted by thunderous_funker

Dumb or not, showboating or not, I guess I'm wondering why the hell anyone should be "disappointed" other than her. And from what I can tell she doesn't really seem all that bothered by it. She's young, talented and probably doesn't think its that big a deal to have lost a race--even a race she could and should have won.
...
So again, why should some coach potato be upset by something that has absolutely nothing to do with them?

She is representing the U.S., so she owes it to her country... and by a maybe overly simplistic extension, every citizen who cares about the olympics and our reputation among the world.

She embodies our spirit, and if our spirit is to showboat and have an attitude that almost brushes off an Olympic loss... that is a poor reflection of our country. Whether or not it's accurate, it is poor.

Its her race. Its her Olympics. She doesn't owe anyone anything.

That is a very individualistic attitude, and doesn't take into the whole idea of working for something bigger than yourself... which I view as part of the olympic experience. I fear she has completely missed the spirit of the Olympic games.

Of course, the athletes attending crazy parties and hooking up with each other in Olympic Village (which I hear goes on quite a bit) probably isn't quite the most honorable and olympic spirit, either. But then again, those Greeks had some wild sexual tendencies, too...

jjlannoo · Feb 18, 2006, 07:42 PM

Originally Posted by funkboy

Of course, the athletes attending crazy parties and hooking up with each other in Olympic Village (which I hear goes on quite a bit) probably isn't quite the most honorable and olympic spirit, either. But then again, those Greeks had some wild sexual tendencies, too...

I don't have a problem with that ^^ Though didn't our hockey team destroy the village in a rampage once? Thats not cool.

thunderous_funker · Feb 18, 2006, 07:50 PM

I think you have a romantically deluded notion of what the Olympics is "all about".

I lived and worked in Park City, UT. I worked at the facility where US athletes train. I lived, worked and socialized with athletes on our olympic teams. For the most part they are an interesting group. Lots of people who are passionate about one sport or another and view the Olympics as stepping stone to being a professional athlete who can get endorsements. Others don't have long terms plans (their sport has no such opportunites) and are simply following their bliss doing something they love for as long as they can. Others are displaced athletes who fell into an Olympic sport as a means of continuing a lifestyle of athletic competition outside of professional sports. (Every bob sleder I met was a college football or track athlete).

They have part time jobs. They live like refugees in some cases (espeically the nordic skiers and others who love sports Americans don't pay much attention to).

Again. Lindsey seems to have her head pretty square on her shoulders. She's got an enviable life doing what she loves. To her, "its just a race." Isn't that what amatuer athletics are SUPPOSED to be about? You win some, you fall sometimes. Sometimes you totally blow it. She still gets to ride year round.

I think the grandeur and mythos of the Olympics is almost entirely marketing. Its just doing what's necessary to get middle America to actually tune in to watch biatholon or curling and give a damn. After all, we're talking millions and millions of dollars for everyone involved--except the taxpayers in the host city and the athletes who do all the work.

funkboy · Feb 18, 2006, 08:48 PM

Originally Posted by thunderous_funker

I think you have a romantically deluded notion of what the Olympics is "all about".

I've never attended one, so I have less authority on the actual Olympic experience than you.

I lived and worked in Park City, UT. I worked at the facility where US athletes train. I lived, worked and socialized with athletes on our olympic teams. For the most part they are an interesting group. Lots of people who are passionate about one sport or another and view the Olympics as stepping stone to being a professional athlete who can get endorsements. Others don't have long terms plans (their sport has no such opportunites) and are simply following their bliss doing something they love for as long as they can. Others are displaced athletes who fell into an Olympic sport as a means of continuing a lifestyle of athletic competition outside of professional sports. (Every bob sleder I met was a college football or track athlete).

They have part time jobs. They live like refugees in some cases (espeically the nordic skiers and others who love sports Americans don't pay much attention to).

Good observations and very interesting to hear. I would like to hear more about your Olympic stories, I bet you have some good ones.

Again. Lindsey seems to have her head pretty square on her shoulders. She's got an enviable life doing what she loves. To her, "its just a race." Isn't that what amatuer athletics are SUPPOSED to be about? You win some, you fall sometimes. Sometimes you totally blow it. She still gets to ride year round.

My problem is the attitude and thinking going into the action. It was showing off, not concentrating on her task. It was not a very mature attitude - do we expect maturity of our amateur athletes? A great question... but can you say you see any olympic athletes who do not act very maturely?
I will admit I am impressed with her interviews after the incident, she has carried herself very well. I do wish she would admit to showing off a little bit, but I know the media would ruthlessly latch onto that admittance. I think I will blame the incredible (not in a good way) American media for her refusal to accept a little more responsibility and setting a bad example.

I fear little kids seeing her showboating and thinking it's a good idea - maybe the goal of athletics - to do this in their own competitions. Young boys see the crazy plays of Derek Jeter and try to duplicate those moves out on the T-ball field - they're only five years old! I understand they want to imitate the successful athletes - I just don't want them imitating unhealthy attitudes. I don't think her showboating attitude is helpful to anyone.

I think the grandeur and mythos of the Olympics is almost entirely marketing.

There *is* a crazy amount of marketing that goes into it, but that seems a little too cynical for my taste... which is exactly how you'd peg me to reply, I imagine. But think of it, how many countries are converging on one small location just to compete in a single event? To compete with the best in the world in their chosen sport? That is still something to get excited about. What other events occur that get so many different varieties of sports together in one location?

Its just doing what's necessary to get middle America to actually tune in to watch biatholon or curling and give a damn. After all, we're talking millions and millions of dollars for everyone involved--except the taxpayers in the host city and the athletes who do all the work.

And I wish they got some of it, and that the professional athletes in American sports leagues would get paid orders of magnitude less (how about... $100,000 instead of $3,000,000?).

Peter · Feb 18, 2006, 08:59 PM

who cares, get over it.
Its about having fun, not winning right?

kcmac · Feb 18, 2006, 11:30 PM

http://web.mac.com/darrenvarner/iWeb...2C1B89B07.html

IceEnclosure · Feb 19, 2006, 02:47 AM

Originally Posted by kcmac

http://web.mac.com/darrenvarner/iWeb...2C1B89B07.html

This wasn't some contest in Breckenridge. This is the Olympics, and she wanted that gold. She wanted it for herself, for her country. She even wanted to show off a little doing it.

She effed up(not by mistake, but by doing something stupid)

Yea, I saw her interview, and I say she wanted to cry. Yup. But she kept it together quite well.

Kr0nos · Feb 19, 2006, 04:20 AM

Originally Posted by IceEnclosure

This wasn't some contest in Breckenridge. This is the Olympics, and she wanted that gold. She wanted it for herself, for her country. She even wanted to show off a little doing it.

She effed up(not by mistake, but by doing something stupid)

Yea, I saw her interview, and I say she wanted to cry. Yup. But she kept it together quite well.

I also heard her say, that she'd been having trouble with that jump all day, and she actually decided to do the grab to have better "stability".

Who knows. Funny though that "peace" (the name of the winner, "Frieden", is German for peace) prevailed in the face of US "hubris".

Now if that only were true for politics.