Turin, Italy 2006 Winter Olympic Games

Olympic Alpine Skiing Analysis

SESTRIERE, Italy – Coming into the Turin Games, Daron Rahlves, America's most decorated speed skier, was expected to win at least one gold medal. Instead he left Sestriere a couple of days ago without a medal and with a lot to think about.

It has been a great season for Rahlves, but he failed to find his groove here and failed to deliver. What's more disappointing is his retirement at the end of this season.

It's too early for Rahlves to hang up his skis and say goodbye to the sport. U.S. ski team head coach Phil McNichol explains "It's simple. He shouldn't retire because he hasn't reached his peak yet."

Most skiers aim to retire at their peaks and at age 32, Rahlves has yet to reach his. If he retires at the end of the season, he leaves the sport without any World Cup discipline titles, Olympic medals or Giant Slalom victories, all of which he has the ability to achieve.

Rahlves has the uncanny ability to improve each season and has yet to plateau. Retirement would be a letdown for a man who has surpassed many of his critics' expectations and showed the world that size does not necessarily matter in downhill skiing.

Rahlves won the Lauberhorn downhill in Wengen, Switzerland, earlier this season, a course so flat it's usually won by the biggest skiers on the World Cup. At 5 feet 8 inches, 185 pounds, he is one of the smallest men on tour and yet amazes the competition with his incredible ability to overcome the physics of ski racing.

Never in his wildest dreams would he envision himself on the top step of the podium in Wengen. "The experience was surreal for him," says close friend Pete Lavin. "He never thought he could win on such a flat course."

So why is he planning to retire? Some have wondered if it was a family decision. But his wife Michelle explained to me that it was his idea to retire, not hers. He's healthy, he won three downhills this year and is continuously improving.

Perhaps he has better plans in his future, but what's better than traveling the Alps in a rock-star tour bus which his sponsor provides and beating Europeans at a sport they invented, all the while skiing powder on his off days.

Perhaps the reason for his retirement could be the rumored changes to the U.S. ski team's coaching staff. Head downhill coach Johno McBride could leave at the end of the season after his agreement ends, which could very well shake up the entire staff.

Johno's leadership and charisma have been instrumental in shaping the team's success and fostering assistant coaches Chris Brigham and Pete Bosinger, whose future would be in question if Johno decides to leave. Certainly Rahlves would like to see the dynamic coaching staff stay in tact should he decide to continue racing.

As one of Rahlves' teammates, I know it would benefit the team greatly if he decides to ski a few more seasons. He provides a textbook example of what it takes to become one of the best in the world through love, passion and a strong worth ethic. Everyone on the World Cup team has learned something useful from Rahlves and has been motivated by his accomplishments.

He is an invaluable teammate and his presence will be missed.

Updated on Thursday, Feb 23, 2006 11:24 am, EST

Email to a Friend | View Popular