Tribute to World Cup Ski Racer - Steven Nyman

This is a small tribute to Steven Nyman, an Olympian and member of the US Alpine Ski Team.  Steven became the first American to win the famed Saslong downhill in Val Gardena in 2006.  Steven has now won the downhill in Val Gardena three times (2006, 2012 and 2014).  I had the chance to meet Steven and do some cycling with him back in June of 2011.  I was impressed with his cycling strength and endurance.  Anyway, a very short tribute to acknowledge the admiration of a great World Cup Downhill Champion.

Photo Credit:  US Ski Team

The Saslong course is considered one of the five "classic" men's downhill races, along with Garmisch-Partenkirchen's Kandahar (GER), Kitzbühel's Hahnenkamm (AUT), Wengen's Lauberhorn (SUI), and Val d'Isere's Criterium (FRA).  It is well known for the "Camel Humps” a series of three jumps which racers must negotiate in quick succession with speed.

 

 Photo Credit:  US Ski Team

Val Gardena King

By Bradley Meister

It hangs under the Saslong

Like an ice covered swing

This wild ride sensation

Flowing like a downhill racers dream

It is one of the five classics

In the World Cup Downhill racing thing

And if you can win it you become
The Val Gardena King

You might be in sunshine

You might be in shadows

The big rock sets the tempo

On where your skis can sing

An extra left foot push at the start

Can get him on his way

As he sets up for a speed run

Diving in, right away

He rounds the second turn

And is already flying on his way

Afterburner engaged

This is going to be Nyman’s day

Post air he’s in compression

Then a long right footer carries him farther down

An uphill compression, then pop

It’s woopty time

As he flies over the Mauers jumps

Heading straight down the hill

He’ll carry lots of speed

To where it all goes down

Just before he soars

The crowd yells “Steeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeven” pretty loud

Then he launches into thin air

It’s a wonder he came down

He soars 60 plus meters on the camels
It’s exhilarating to watch

The crowd gets a big thrill

To watch Utah’s Steven Nyman

Letting it go and throwing it down

Now it’s almost time to think about Ciaslat

The technical part of the course

With turns, bumps and ripples

You better be on it to hit the mark

So exiting the camels

He's coming in with extra heat

He’s really on the edge

Now watch him work his feet

In the Ciaslat he’s pulled off that magic

That only Nyman can do

He may be near the backseat

But his skis are still tracking true

Yes…he’s in the zone

It’s game on all the way

He feels the need for speed

So he puts the hammer down

He’s in the final schuss

Momentum screaming past

Over the tunnel jump

It's history in the making
With one last passing flash

He crosses the finish line

The time clock now shows green

It’s number one next to Nyman

Yes…he’s got the lead

The crowd makes a big noise

He hardly feels the cold

And celebrates on top the podium

With another World Cup Downhill Gold

And now you know the story

Of the first American racer

Who laid it down

Under the mighty Saslong

In Italy's famous ski racing town

He’s known as Steven Nyman
A speed specialist on the Team
But when we think about these victories
He becomes the… Val Gardena King

Good luck Steven as we get into the 2014 Olympic season!


Note:  Some ideas for this tribute taken from Steven's Youtube video describing the famed Val Gardena Downhill course.