Jaerbyn, 41, defies age to compete
Source: Agencies |
December 3, 2010, Friday
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ON the back nine of his skiing career, Patrik Jaerbyn of Sweden has been honing his golf game, beginning to imagine courses that feature greens instead of snow.
In his ideal world, the 41-year-old Jaerbyn would compete in World Cup events for a while longer and then swap out his skis for golf clubs. Already a scratch golfer, maybe even get to the level where he could try out for the Senior PGA Tour.
For now, those plans will simply have to wait.
Jaerbyn's still enjoying his time on the hill too much to even ponder life on the links.
He's the oldest competitor in the field this week at Beaver Creek by at least five years, the skier the Austrians affectionately refer to as "Alter Schwede" (Old Swede).
In spite of his advancing years, he still believes he can keep up with this younger generation. Not only keep up, but beat them on the slopes.
That belief despite never winning a World Cup event in 277 career starts.
"I know I can ski with the best," said Jaerbyn, who has finished on a World Cup podium three times in his career.
"Yeah, I wish I could turn time back 15 years.
"But I can't."
Jaerbyn insists he's not clinging to the sport in hopes of one day winning a World Cup competition. His career would be complete without that. Still, he said it would be nice, especially at Beaver Creek, where his wife, Randi, and their two young sons live nearby in Edwards.
"I've had an amazing career, met a bunch of good friends and good people off and on the course, traveled the world," Jaerbyn said. "I could quit easily today and be one of the most (decorated) Swedish ski racers there is.
"But I feel like I still got it. Why quit when you still feel motivated and you're training really hard and the body feels great?"
Switzerland's Didier Cuche hardly wants to see Jaerbyn retire anytime soon. That would make him the grayest beard on the circuit, especially with the 35-year-old Michael Walchhofer of Austria planning to retire at the end of the season to run a hotel.
"Compared to Patrik, I'm still a young guy," the 36-year-old Cuche joked.
Jaerbyn receives constant reminders he's the old man on the slope. His body creaks and he has concerns that many others don't, such as a family to support with no major sponsors footing the bill.
On race day, though, those thoughts just melt away.
"Every time I get through the finish, I'm psyched. If I can just keep on being healthy, the results will come."
Jaerbyn has had quite a career since his World Cup debut on December 5, 1992, in Val D'Isere, France. He has won Europa Cup races, earned a spot on the podium at two world championships and competed in five different Winter Olympics.
He's also had his fair share of wipeouts, including a horrific crash last winter at the Vancouver Games. Cruising down the hill in the super-G, he hooked a gate, throwing him high in the air before landing heavily on his back. Jaerbyn bounced along the icy surface and finally slid to a stop by the side of the course. Despite all that, he suffered only a bloody face and a concussion.
"I've seen it a bunch of times. It could've gone worse," he said with a shrug. "Could've gone better, too. All in all, I'm still here standing."
And back racing soon after as the headaches were gone four days later. "Guess my injuries heal faster now," he said, grinning.
This summer, Jaerbyn concentrated just as much on working on his short game as his super-G, squeezing in rounds whenever he could. He's getting quite good at golf, too, his best round a 65.
"I changed some things in August. After that I played really good," Jaerbyn said.
Then he had to put away his clubs for the start of ski season. A task he was happy to do.
In his ideal world, the 41-year-old Jaerbyn would compete in World Cup events for a while longer and then swap out his skis for golf clubs. Already a scratch golfer, maybe even get to the level where he could try out for the Senior PGA Tour.
For now, those plans will simply have to wait.
Jaerbyn's still enjoying his time on the hill too much to even ponder life on the links.
He's the oldest competitor in the field this week at Beaver Creek by at least five years, the skier the Austrians affectionately refer to as "Alter Schwede" (Old Swede).
In spite of his advancing years, he still believes he can keep up with this younger generation. Not only keep up, but beat them on the slopes.
That belief despite never winning a World Cup event in 277 career starts.
"I know I can ski with the best," said Jaerbyn, who has finished on a World Cup podium three times in his career.
"Yeah, I wish I could turn time back 15 years.
"But I can't."
Jaerbyn insists he's not clinging to the sport in hopes of one day winning a World Cup competition. His career would be complete without that. Still, he said it would be nice, especially at Beaver Creek, where his wife, Randi, and their two young sons live nearby in Edwards.
"I've had an amazing career, met a bunch of good friends and good people off and on the course, traveled the world," Jaerbyn said. "I could quit easily today and be one of the most (decorated) Swedish ski racers there is.
"But I feel like I still got it. Why quit when you still feel motivated and you're training really hard and the body feels great?"
Switzerland's Didier Cuche hardly wants to see Jaerbyn retire anytime soon. That would make him the grayest beard on the circuit, especially with the 35-year-old Michael Walchhofer of Austria planning to retire at the end of the season to run a hotel.
"Compared to Patrik, I'm still a young guy," the 36-year-old Cuche joked.
Jaerbyn receives constant reminders he's the old man on the slope. His body creaks and he has concerns that many others don't, such as a family to support with no major sponsors footing the bill.
On race day, though, those thoughts just melt away.
"Every time I get through the finish, I'm psyched. If I can just keep on being healthy, the results will come."
Jaerbyn has had quite a career since his World Cup debut on December 5, 1992, in Val D'Isere, France. He has won Europa Cup races, earned a spot on the podium at two world championships and competed in five different Winter Olympics.
He's also had his fair share of wipeouts, including a horrific crash last winter at the Vancouver Games. Cruising down the hill in the super-G, he hooked a gate, throwing him high in the air before landing heavily on his back. Jaerbyn bounced along the icy surface and finally slid to a stop by the side of the course. Despite all that, he suffered only a bloody face and a concussion.
"I've seen it a bunch of times. It could've gone worse," he said with a shrug. "Could've gone better, too. All in all, I'm still here standing."
And back racing soon after as the headaches were gone four days later. "Guess my injuries heal faster now," he said, grinning.
This summer, Jaerbyn concentrated just as much on working on his short game as his super-G, squeezing in rounds whenever he could. He's getting quite good at golf, too, his best round a 65.
"I changed some things in August. After that I played really good," Jaerbyn said.
Then he had to put away his clubs for the start of ski season. A task he was happy to do.
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