Tina Maze 2015 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships Downhill Gold Medalist
Today, and arguably for some time now, the best female alpine skier has not been Lindsey Vonn, and certainly not Mikaela Shiffrin- sorry my fellow American cohorts, it hurts I know. Even considering Lindsey’s 2 year absence due to injuries and strong comeback since, the best women’s skier in all the world has been Tina Maze of Slovenia, a multitalented elite athlete from a small nation state located in Central Europe having a population just north of 2 million. I like most Americans, and especially being a Vail Valley local myself, started the 2015 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships resoundingly rooting for our beloved favorites Lindsey and Mikaela. But now, honestly, not so much and Mikaela has yet to even put on her skis… let me explain.
Sometimes strange things happen and we ourselves become a part of something or in this case witness something so extraordinary, that despite our loyalties and related motives, causes us to abandon our otherwise entrenched positions and root for “the other team.” And so it is for me with these World Alpine Championships where Tina Maze is concerned, this very thing having happened and for the moment, I having turned… Tina Tina Tina Tina Tina!
With only two women’s events left, the slalom and Tina’s original speciality the giant slalom, the stage is set for a dramatic finish. Though not a betting man, I’m quite ready to place a wager on Tina medaling in both… seems to me another silver and another gold is likely the result. Ms. Maze would then leave the Championships with 5 medals in all, a medal in each discipline with 2 silvers and 3 golds. Tina Maze 2015 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships Downhill Gold Medalist
So don’t get me wrong when I say, I’d be just fine and likely even happy, for Lindsey or Mikaela to beat Tina in either remaining event… but only so long as Tina still medals in both. Predictably, there will be those who read this and label me a traitor; to them I say, haters will hate and say whatever they will. I’m a skier at heart and even bigger sucker for great skiing! Tina Maze 2015 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships Downhill Gold Medalist
MADOGRAPHY | Original Image Capture… Tina Maze 2015 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships Downhill Gold Medalist by Doug Mayhew | Madographer Tina Maze 2015 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships Downhill Gold Medalist