World Cup Racers @ Wasatch Powder Keg

Well, I'm not thinking about calling out Bode Miller for a gate-running exhibition, but when he gets in the starting gate of a WC alpine race (or Daron Rahlves in a DH or SG), all the cameras are rolling and no one is surprised if they win. Randonee is yet another example of our collective ignorance of what's going on in other parts of the world, even in a sport that most of us are passionate about. I suppose WC soccer and cycling (outside of the World Cup and Tour de France) are similar, with virtually no public recognition outside of a core group of enthusiasts. Probably what's needed is for a major corporate sponsor to step up and create a national rando center where athletes can live and train full time, maybe in concert with existing ski centers at Steamboat or Park City. I'm not holding my breath for that to happen . . . BTW, I'm puzzled at the absence of Austrian or Norwegian rando racers at the Powder Keg, does anyone have an explanation?

Everyone knows Norwegians can't AT.

Or won't . . . I asked my friend Ozzie, who just got back from doing the Birkebeiner in Norway, the same question yesterday, and he said "Oh, you know Norwegians, if you have to use metal edges they think it's not the REAL skiing . . ."