THE 30,000-MILE SKI RACE

by Peter Miller ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 17, 1972

While the American racers and coaches were trying to find themselves, worrying about finances, complaining about the U.S.S.A., resenting authority and discipline, the European hotshots were concentrating on winning races. . . ."" On much the same order as Ted Simon's look at international auto racing (p. 59), Miller's book probes the 1970-71 World Cup, skiing's Grand Prix, providing quick takes of the key events (downhill, slalom, and giant slalom) around the circuit (the Alps, Japan, Maine's Sugarloaf, Lake Tahoe) and glimpses of the top performers -- on and off skis. Miller's emphasis however is on why the American team (especially the men) rarely performs well on international competition -- is it the Ski Association's prudish insistence that American skiers maintain strict amateur status thus ruling out lucrative payoffs? or is it simply a devil-may-care attitude (as one racer put it, ""There's a narrow distinction between not giving a damn and skiing relaxed"")? or perhaps the lack of recognition at home? Miller offers no answers, only laments and frosty sociological generalizations such as ""The American racer has never felt at ease in Europe. . . an athlete can be a very sensitive person."" Buffs, bunnies, burns, and other lodge brothers might forgive Miller his equivocations but the rest of us will find it too waxy.

Pub Date: March 17, 1972

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Dial

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1972

Categories: NONFICTION