|
(Published February 21, 2002)
Once Upon a Time … at the 2002 Winter Olympics
So far, these Olympic Games have been favorable to most of Tahoe's skiing squad, particularly the rookies. Two-time Olympic veteran, Daron Rahlves of Truckee, got the worst of it, shouldering the most pressure. As the reigning World Champion in super-G and a World Cup winner in the Downhill, Daron has been the favored American to podium at the Snowbasin speed events.
While it's difficult to assess disappointment from this side of the start gun, we can certainly recognize humble professionalism. Rahlves was clearly not satisfied with his 16th place downhill finish, nor his 8th place spot in super-G, yet he ran the gambit of reporters and openly discussed what he considers a massive failure. Bear in mind that Kjetil-Andre Aamodt of Norway is still winning Olympic gold at 30 years old, while Austria's Stephan Eberharter has locked up this season's Downhill title at age 33. A relative teenager at 28 years, Daron's motivation shows he's still got game.
Marco Sullivan, the Squaw Valley-sponsored speed guy, one-upped Rahlves to claim the best American finish in the men's Olympic Downhill. That 9th place time may offset the 21-year old's DNF (race-speak for did not finish) in the super-G. However, missing a gate at 70mph on Snowbasin's gnarly Grizzly course seems minor when compared to Marco's medical history...
After a stellar junior season in the 1999-2000 winter, Marco spent that summer recuperating from not only a major knee operation, but also heart surgery. Seems he was born with a defective heart valve that needed some tweaking. Two seasons later, the mild-mannered Sullivan is one of the best products on the US Ski Team.
Another successful rookie from the North Shore is Julia Mancuso. Just barely 18, she managed to throw off pressure, crowds and high winds at Snowbasin to claim 13th in the Combined. This most demanding of events combines two runs of slalom with one run of downhill, to decide the best 'all rounder.'
"This Olympic experience is more than I could have imagined," said Julia. "My goal was to make it down my three runs - actually make it down without making mistakes. I made a few mistakes, but I guess I'll take it!"
Rounding out the Tahoe race squad, Jonna Mendes rewarded longtime fans by taking top American spot in the women's Downhill. Her 11th place finish didn't quite meet her strict expectations, but as top dawg, Jonna showed her ability to fill the boots of retiring racer, Picabo Street. The super-G put Mendes in the middle of the pack, with her 16th place showing.
Following her downhill performance, the 22 year-old said, "There was some redemption in that I proved that I can show up on big race days and perform. I didn't go into it thinking that I'd be happy with 15th or better. I definitely went out there to win a medal - but I knew how hard that would be."
 |
 |
| RJ and Michael Gardner at the Snowbasin Downhill |
|
|
|
In a busy two weeks filled with visiting relatives, her boyfriend (who works for NBC Sports), plus tons of fans from Tahoe, Jonna has kept her good spirits. "I saw so many people from Tahoe, I couldn't believe it!" said Mendes. "I'm glad so many people got the opportunity to come here and experience something so amazing and wonderful [as the Olympics].
Adding to the local connection, she wore her patriotic new race helmet, airbrushed by South Lake Tahoe artist, Jesse Hillstad. He explains, "Jonna and I sat down when she was home right before the Olympics. She pretty much had the design concept figured out and I just took it from there. The whole idea was stars and stripes, with flags inside each of the stars. It was a total rush job, which is tough, because I needed 12 hours to dry the gloss between each coat. I only had six days to complete it. In fact, I called Jonna in Utah and asked if I could have one more day, which was fine with her. We still made it on time for race day. I would've liked a little more time, but I'm pretty happy with it."
Other Tahoe athletes competing at Salt Lake included the gutsy Jonny "Dinner Roll" Moseley, who was pinched off the podium with his 4th place finish in men's moguls. Shannon Bahrke's neck is weighted down with her 1.5 pound silver medal from the women's moguls contest. Bahrke, just 22 years old, went into the competition as an underdog for the US team, favored behind Hannah Hardaway.
"We've had World Cups, the Gold Cup and training camps here, so I think that gave a huge advantage to us," said Bahrke of the Deer Valley, Utah course. "But I think the biggest advantage is having my hometown fans here. And everyone, all these Americans cheering for you…I am so proud to be an American."
|
