February 22nd, 2010 Olympic Blog- Dark Horse
Tuesday, December 21, 2010 at 02:51AM Watching the men’s Super G race on Friday was the most exciting and emotional few hours I’ve experienced at the Olympics yet. It was a thrilling race with mere hundredths separating top athletes, and once again, the American team turned in inspired performances.
Statistically, Andrew Weibrecht wasn’t a medal contender. After all, he hasn’t been on the podium in a single World Cup race ever. But despite the odds, Andrew’s skiing was consistent and strong coming into the Games. In his third full season on the World Cup circuit, he is skiing with new maturity and tact. Without a doubt, Andrew was my dark horse for the Super G.
At only 5’6” Andrew is the shortest speed skier on the men’s World Cup speed circuit, but his presence is huge. I have never seen any athlete, in any sport, compete with as much tenacity and intensity as Andrew. His famous 2007 downhill run at the Beaver Creek World Cup says it all. It is the most courageous and athletic skiing I have ever seen. (See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_eAElauc3E) It is through these gritty performances that we see why Andrew lives up to the nickname “The Warhorse.”
My respect for Warhorse extends far beyond my admiration for his athletic prowess. Not only were we teammates while I was still racing on the U.S. Ski Team, but we attended Dartmouth College together for several years, where Andrew is still a student. Basically, Andrew is just a good guy. He is humble and grounded, fun and playful. He is comfortable in his own skin, and he’ll do anything for the people that he cares about. It is for these reasons that I was bubbling with excitement to watch my friend compete in his first Olympics.
In addition to my analyst work for KING 5, I am also commentating the alpine ski events for NBC Radio. Because I have to remain objective and professional while I call the races from the broadcast booth, I can’t let personal reactions slip out when my friends and former teammates cross the finish line. That means I was forced to sit through an excruciating twenty-seven racers after Andrew ran number three before I could take off my headset and celebrate his bronze medal performance.
Once I was free from the booth, I literally burst out the door and started screaming and jumping up and down. After the first thirty, Warhorse was sitting in third place. THIRD PLACE! I could hardly contain myself. I sprinted to the media “mixed zone” for my other job of getting on-camera interviews with athletes for KING 5 and other news affiliates. While I was in my position waiting for the athletes to start filing through, I had a hard time standing still. I couldn’t wait to see Andrew and congratulate him.
When the Warhorse finally started making his way to me, my energy began to shift. As I watched him walk up to me in person, the magnitude of what he accomplished hit me. Tears came to my eyes. I gave him a huge hug and told him how proud I was of him. I don’t know if Andrew noticed any tears coming down behind my sunglasses during his interview, but they were there. After the interview was over, I cried. I don’t think I have never felt so genuinely happy for someone else in my life.
Why did watching Andrew win an Olympic medal carry so much meaning? It’s pretty simple, really. He’s my friend and he’s a tremendous guy. I genuinely want the best for him because I know he wants the same for me.
When I reflect on those tears of joy, I am reminded of what really matters during this crazy Olympic frenzy: An Olympic medal is great, but it is great because of the individual on whom it hangs. No matter how many medals the United States racks up, they are meaningless without the stories and the people behind them.
After Lindsey took the gold in the women’s downhill, and Julia raked in the silver in both the downhill and the Combined, veteran skier Bode Miller pointed out that, “As soon as you see your teammates experience that joy, it makes it much more real, much more accessible. It makes [the younger skiers] reach for it a lot more authentically.” In essence, he says, when a teammate does well it makes everyone on the team want a piece of the same success.
It’s fair to say that the Team’s early success in these Olympics may have helped fuel the Warhorse to his medal. In his usual simple fashion, Andrew agreed, “A little bit of momentum goes a long way.”
Fitting words for a little guy who just achieved a really big dream.
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