Beginning with Paul Robbins who is no longer alive and whose absence at these games has brought both a haunting and a richness. His son DC showed up at the announce booth yesterday with both Paul's tam and some of his ashes (in a Dunkin' Donuts cup) which we perched in the window, the best seat in the house. I have no proof that Paul's spirit had any influence on yesterday's results but know that he would have gotten a kick out of how things played out for the US Nordic combined team that he so loved. Fickle winds basically washed the top 5 in world cup standings completely out of the competition. Luck? Fate? Spring Robbins? Who knows. And very tough that an event for which all athletes have trained so hard could be so affected by weather, but that is the world they live in. The US has traditionally felt like they've gotten the short end of the luck stick but head coach Dave Jarrett signs every team update with the mantra "no excuses", the understanding being that if you do your homework, you make your own luck. The US was in position to take advantage of their open window (which was in no small part
advanced by the fact that they did not focus on world cup this year so were not seeded among the top 5) and when Billy and Johnny jumped to 6th and 2nd (and were surrounded by second tier competitors) it was pretty well assured that the US was in for a banner day. Paul's ashes made their way up the the xc venue where later in the afternoon Billy took gold and Johnny silver. It was disappointing for me that I was voicing the jumping segments down in Whistler while the xc was taking place, so missed the moment (and then missed the NBC coverage, too). Chris and I begged our way into the US Ski Team/Spyder house (humbling how quickly you're forgotten) to say congratulations to the boys... Billy deflecting all pats on the back with thanks to those who supported him. It's a tight community- Hollands have given skis and suits to these guys, Chris coached Billy for 6 of his early years- and wonderful to see Billy still such a member of it; so appreciative of the roots and those who watered them. He surprised the crowd by taking the microphone and first introducing his girlfriend, Katie, then proposing to her in front of the party, presenting her with a ring and his gold medal which she wore the the rest of the evening. Billy said later he'd been carrying the ring with him for the past two months waiting for a moment, even had it with him at the xc venue yesterday in his backpack. Oh, yeah, and he was asked to be the USA flag bearer for the closing ceremonies. Good day to buy a lottery ticket, as they say... but good fortune that was paid for up front. Need to again recognize Brett Camerota, the 4th NC'er who really kicked things off in the team event and who yesterday didn't even ski but contributed mightily by giving his start to 5th man and first time Olympian Taylor Fletcher; planting the seed corn for Sochi and beyond.
Loved the NBC images of NC jump coach Chris Gilbertson in the coaches' stand holding on wind and reacting as, for the most part, his charges kicked butt. Fun talking to him last night, he too deflecting all praise for what he's done. They say success has a thousand fathers but I couldn't
find one at the party last night. Recalled for me the night Kerry Lynch won silver at '87 world championships in Obertsdorf and I was the jump coach- it had never occurred to me that I could feel such joy over someone else's success. Chris G was feeling that last night, as well (hell, all week!).
The power of Al Trautwig shone through yesterday- Nordic combined the benefactor. NBC had originally slotted the Nordic combined for 2 segments of jump and 2 for xc. Al said no way and twisted arms and wound up with 3 segments for xc. Fun to see him operate and be so passionate for NC boys.
Goodbyes a big part of the wind down and how to convey in one handshake the appreciation you feel for all that was shared over these three weeks. Impossible. And physical contact not even a possibility with producers Mitch and Kaare who were stuck in Vancouver the entire Games and with whom our only communication since the cauldron was lit has been through email or headsets. Unbelievable how smoothly they ran things without ever seeing our faces.
These Games and especially the Canadians who hosted them have given me a renewed faith in humanity. Always clear that evil begets evil, but never sure how contagious goodness might be. But somehow- whether through genes, expert coaching, or lack of vitamin D- every volunteer was going out of their way to make things right for folks- always with a smile, always with an offer for alternatives if the answer was no. Even more amazing for me was the effect this had on everyone else. The mass of us treating each other better as the weeks progressed despite the challenges and proximity. The Canadians literally drew the goodness out of everyone and in doing so created a very peaceable kingdom; one I will miss.
Loved the NBC images of NC jump coach Chris Gilbertson in the coaches' stand holding on wind and reacting as, for the most part, his charges kicked butt. Fun talking to him last night, he too deflecting all praise for what he's done. They say success has a thousand fathers but I couldn't
find one at the party last night. Recalled for me the night Kerry Lynch won silver at '87 world championships in Obertsdorf and I was the jump coach- it had never occurred to me that I could feel such joy over someone else's success. Chris G was feeling that last night, as well (hell, all week!).The power of Al Trautwig shone through yesterday- Nordic combined the benefactor. NBC had originally slotted the Nordic combined for 2 segments of jump and 2 for xc. Al said no way and twisted arms and wound up with 3 segments for xc. Fun to see him operate and be so passionate for NC boys.
Goodbyes a big part of the wind down and how to convey in one handshake the appreciation you feel for all that was shared over these three weeks. Impossible. And physical contact not even a possibility with producers Mitch and Kaare who were stuck in Vancouver the entire Games and with whom our only communication since the cauldron was lit has been through email or headsets. Unbelievable how smoothly they ran things without ever seeing our faces.
These Games and especially the Canadians who hosted them have given me a renewed faith in humanity. Always clear that evil begets evil, but never sure how contagious goodness might be. But somehow- whether through genes, expert coaching, or lack of vitamin D- every volunteer was going out of their way to make things right for folks- always with a smile, always with an offer for alternatives if the answer was no. Even more amazing for me was the effect this had on everyone else. The mass of us treating each other better as the weeks progressed despite the challenges and proximity. The Canadians literally drew the goodness out of everyone and in doing so created a very peaceable kingdom; one I will miss.
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