BEAVER CREEK, Colo. (AP) – River Radamus has always been looking forward to that field trip to school – attending the ski races in Beaver Creek, Colo.
Growing up in the nearby town of Edwards, his class regularly headed to the course for the World Cup stop. Some of the 23 year old runners fondest memories include watching Ted Ligety shine on the demanding birds of prey course and chasing Bode Miller around town for an autograph.
So of course doing well on this hill over the weekend, with neighbors, friends and family watching, would mean a lot to Radamus.. Because seeing all these elite runners in action year after year has helped set in motion where he is today – an Olympic hope for the Beijing Games later this winter.
And of course, that didn’t hurt either: both of her parents are just decorated ski coaches.
“So I didn’t have a lot of choice,†Radamus snapped.
Just kidding mum and dad who put him on skis when he was little so they could push him instead of carrying him like they were training him.
The runner named River for a reason – to stand out – is bursting with confidence as he heads to Beaver Creek, which will host super-G events on Thursday and Friday, as well as downhill races on Saturday and Sunday (the second downhill replaces a race cleaned last weekend in Lake Louise).
His determination stems from his career-best sixth place in the World Cup in the season opening giant slalom in Șlden, Austria on October 24. Radamus certainly stood out that day Рfor his skiing, but also for his snow-dyed hair. Рleopard pattern. It was an ode to longtime skier Chad Fleischer, who once had that kind of look.
Radamus went for this look for a reason: “To remind me it’s a game,†said Radamus, who made his World Cup debut in 2017 at Beaver Creek. “I can’t take myself too seriously.”
Now he is eager to add his own chapter to the story of Birds of Prey. It’s a race he not only watched as a child, but then helped groom himself as a ‘slipper’. He also tested the Beaver Creek course as a precursor to the 2015 world championships.
His priority remains the giant slalom (he also races in other disciplines). To go faster, he spent time looking at the best of the best and trying to emulate what they do so well:
– De Ligety, retired two-time Olympic champion, Radamus strives to emulate power and a high edge angle.
“He’s probably my favorite person right now,†said Radamus, three-time Winter Youth Olympic Games gold medalist in 2016. “But I’m trying to cut that down a bit, just because I don’t I don’t wanna become a bad imitation of Ted I wanna become mine (runner).
– From the great Austrian retired Marcel Hirscher, he tries to integrate a continuous attack approach.
“He would make mistakes but he would make amazing recoveries and keep pushing and that’s why he was so quick in my eyes,†said Radamus. “Obviously he was incredibly strong. So it’s a piece that I have to find to be able to ski like him.
– From Mikaela Shiffrin, he hopes to reproduce this perfectly fluid rhythm which has enabled him to win 71 World Cup races and two Olympic gold medals.
“So talented in the way she makes it graceful and easy going,†said Radamus, who grew up in the same area as Shiffrin. “I don’t ski like Mikaela, but I can take small pieces.
“I’m always trying to learn and grow.
He also works with a sports psychologist. It’s just a way to make sure his racing days better reflect the work he does in training.
“I don’t have to be the strongest or the most talented guy, as long as I believe I am or believe I am strong enough or talented enough,†Radamus said. “So when I’m standing on the starting grid, I’m just trying to ask myself: is this beyond my ability? And when I say ‘No’ – because I’ve been working out and doing whatever it takes to prepare myself, and I’ve inspected a line that I know I’m capable of performing – it makes me feel gives so much confidence.
“It’s almost like I’ve let go of the pressure.”
No pressure this weekend in front of home supporters. No pressure at the Beijing Games either, he should be named to the list. Just at full speed.
“You can live with a mistake as long as you know you are aiming for gold or glory,†Radamus said. “It’s a much better way out than riding a door because you’re nervous or something.” I will try to approach it with that kind of freedom.
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