Tuesday, November 20, 2001
Darin rarin' to race
Calgarian thrilled to be 'go-to guy' on men's team
By RON MANZ -- Calgary Sun
There are plenty of expectations one shoulders if you are tabbed as the 'next great Crazy Canuck.'
Darin McBeath welcomes the challenge and in fact has dreamed of being in this position ever since he took up ski racing.
The 25-year-old Calgarian is one of only two men on Canada's national alpine men's ski team who will race the World Cup and Olympic speed events this winter.
Eleven-year veteran Edi Podivinsky is the other.
"I have always believed I could become the guy who could lead our Canadian team," said McBeath. "It's just nice to know other people in Canada and those with Alpine Canada also believe in me. I want to be the go-to guy on our team for sure."
McBeath survived the house cleaning on the men's team this summer that saw Kevin Wert and Luke Sauder released and Jeff Durand and Chad Mullen both retire.
"I haven't had to deal with the smaller team size through the summer because our training had included the entire team, technical and speed along with the developmental squad," said McBeath.
"But I do expect to notice a big difference on race day. In the past, we always had three or four guys racing, so there was always more than one chance to hear what conditions were like after they skied a course. Now it will be just Edi and I with just one chance for each of us."
McBeath spent the off-season regenerating his enthusiasm and confidence. After an incredible rookie World Cup season two years ago in which he improved to a 25th overall ranking in downhill, last year was a disappointment for the Paskapoo Ski Club alumnus.
His and the national team's best result was a 13th-place finish in Kitzbuehl, Austria.
"Last year was tough on our whole team, not just me," said McBeath. "It was a grind to say the least but I learned a lot. Edi and I both changed skis last year from Atomic to Head. A combination of bad weather prior to the season and numerous race cancellations meant we never really got a chance to test and tune them in properly.
"This summer has been different, though, and we both have now had sufficient time to dial them in and they feel good."
McBeath has reached a point in his racing technique and equipment that he can change little things and notice an immediate difference. He hopes that translates into more speed and better results on race day.
While the technical side may be well in check, McBeath has also overhauled his mental approach to racing as the season begins.
"I've spent a lot of time thinking about how important ski racing is to me personally," he said.
"I know it is a very unique thing to be a national team ski racer. I respect what I do for a living a lot more than I did before as a result. It just makes me want to push myself that much harder with more determination going into this World Cup and Olympic year."
The World Cup men's tour won't be stopping at Lake Louise in Canada this year because of the Olympics in Utah.
It's a disappointment for McBeath, who enjoys racing on home turf and in front of a home crowd.
His season will begin in Colorado, with the opening World Cup downhill and super-G set for Dec. 1-2 at Beaver Creek in Vail.
"My first World Cup downhill was at Beaver Creek and I finished 11th," said McBeath. "I was 15th there last year, my second-best result of the season.
"I was nervous last winter there because everyone expected me to do so well based on my results two years ago. We'll just have to see what happens this year.
"Courses in World Cup are being set up faster ... all the time.
"You have to be muscular to handle the challenges and strong to provide the power it takes to be successful.
"I'm 6 foot 2, 205 pounds right now.
"I'm gunned and ready and eager to get started. Let the season begin."
2002 Games Alpine Skiing Coverage
