Ligety, skiers upset with new rules on GS skis
Source: Agencies |
December 2, 2011, Friday
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TED Ligety has been lashing out at skiing's governing body for what he feels is an infringement on his livelihood. The Olympic gold medalist is angry with the International Ski Federation over new equipment regulations set to be implemented next season.
His main discipline, the giant slalom, could be the most affected as the hourglass shape of the skis is altered in an attempt to make the sport safer.
Ligety is furious over the move, saying it will ruin the giant slalom. And the three-time overall GS champion is hardly alone. Many of the skiers on the World Cup circuit are less than thrilled with the rule changes, which they feel were pushed through without much input from them.
Bode Miller is so agitated with the adjustments that he is contemplating giving up World Cup skiing. "If it's not fun for me, I'm not going to ski," Miller said. "I've skied on the (new) skis and they're not very fun to ski on. So if it's not fun, then there's no reason for me to do it."
These days, Ligety's tongue has been just as sharp as his skis. His main issue is that with the minimum radius of GS skis going to 35 meters - eight more than the current limit - it will set back skiing by decades.
In addition, Ligety contends the racing in giant slalom will be far less fun to watch, since skiers have to skid into turns instead of gracefully arc into them. He compared the switch in skis to trading in a Ferrari for a Prius.
"A Prius stinks to drive after driving a Ferrari. It's a big step down," said Ligety, who finished 29th in a downhill training run Wednesday. "It's such a ridiculous rule change that makes no sense safety-wise or evolution of the sport-wise. It can't go through."
FIS men's race director Guenter Hujara understands Ligety's displeasure, but the rules are set in stone by the council. Hujara acknowledged he would be upset, too, if he were Ligety, because Ligety has dominated the giant slalom in recent seasons. This takes away some of Ligety's built-in advantage. That said, Hujara wishes Ligety would tone it down. "I think he should take the knife out a little bit," Hujara said. "Not everybody who has a FIS sign on his head is an idiot by birth."
Ligety said a union of skiers is in the works and that he wouldn't mind starting an alternate tour even though it's really not feasible.
His main discipline, the giant slalom, could be the most affected as the hourglass shape of the skis is altered in an attempt to make the sport safer.
Ligety is furious over the move, saying it will ruin the giant slalom. And the three-time overall GS champion is hardly alone. Many of the skiers on the World Cup circuit are less than thrilled with the rule changes, which they feel were pushed through without much input from them.
Bode Miller is so agitated with the adjustments that he is contemplating giving up World Cup skiing. "If it's not fun for me, I'm not going to ski," Miller said. "I've skied on the (new) skis and they're not very fun to ski on. So if it's not fun, then there's no reason for me to do it."
These days, Ligety's tongue has been just as sharp as his skis. His main issue is that with the minimum radius of GS skis going to 35 meters - eight more than the current limit - it will set back skiing by decades.
In addition, Ligety contends the racing in giant slalom will be far less fun to watch, since skiers have to skid into turns instead of gracefully arc into them. He compared the switch in skis to trading in a Ferrari for a Prius.
"A Prius stinks to drive after driving a Ferrari. It's a big step down," said Ligety, who finished 29th in a downhill training run Wednesday. "It's such a ridiculous rule change that makes no sense safety-wise or evolution of the sport-wise. It can't go through."
FIS men's race director Guenter Hujara understands Ligety's displeasure, but the rules are set in stone by the council. Hujara acknowledged he would be upset, too, if he were Ligety, because Ligety has dominated the giant slalom in recent seasons. This takes away some of Ligety's built-in advantage. That said, Hujara wishes Ligety would tone it down. "I think he should take the knife out a little bit," Hujara said. "Not everybody who has a FIS sign on his head is an idiot by birth."
Ligety said a union of skiers is in the works and that he wouldn't mind starting an alternate tour even though it's really not feasible.
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