Is it ok to say one good thing from Vonn expressing her opinions is that its one of the first times she has broken from being the Vonnbot to being an actual human being?
I'm don't see it that way, but I do "get" and respect your thinking.
Here's how I see it. She has a big team of agents/manangers/PR/media folks around her and working with her. If you watch her in front of the camera today, versus even 5-6 years ago, she has come a long way. She's obviously be very well coached. BUT, I also imagine that she has coached in terms of how to "stay in her lane", and that statement was out of her lane. At the same time, having seen transcripts of it, and video, I'm not sure than she really could have answered it much differently. A more PR savvy person could have.
What we're seeing this year unfolding in the USA, in this Olympic year, is a large number of our athletes getting ready to transition into retirement after competing. And some have big support teams. I would say none more than LV, as she evidently may have a bigger career/income after she retires than she do now. So, I'm a bit cynical of whatever we will see or hear, and even more so as she fights off injury, etc., and we see that spin. We'll see her EVERYWHERE over the next two months. And based on last week, I think we'll see her carefully scripted, and on a shorter leash. This is not her comfort zone, speaking about anything. Bet than when you see on on Fallon, for example, it's well "thought out." Our she does not appear.
We're going to see a lot of Mancuso. I went off on a friend who is on the USST board about why they even have her in a uniform and on the team at this point. Why this BS and illusion? He was pretty blunt. "Who do you think the average American might want to see in NBC promos, in various adds, and who might bring in more money for us, the most decorated female athlete in our history, who happens to be cute as hell and have a huge personality, or a completely unknown up and comer?" Yep. I care about the future as we have absolutely mismanaged it. But on the business side......let's create the impression we need. I do not like it, but I hear it.
I think that Ligety is on the fence, and hopes that he's going to physically hold together, and ski well. I hope that he can, and that we see a bunch of podiums, maybe a win, maybe a medal. But no question, this year is a big payday for him, and he's about to transition out. He'll kill it after his ski racing days. Smart businessman. And a good guy.
Steven Nyman? I think he's going to retire, and I assume that he is lining a lot up. He's also a new dad. His partner Charlotte Moats is a great skier, and smart, smart businesswoman. I doubt if "The Olympics" are his focus. Assume it is where he heads next with his life.
Andrew Weibrecht is in the same mode, I assume. It will be interesting to see if he makes the Olympic team, this time around. I can see him getting ready to take over the Mirror Lake Inn, the family business in Lake Placid, over the next couple of years. along with his brother. Just a hunch. Or he could head in another direction.
I'm assuming that Dave Choudunsky, our best SL skier might be done at the end of this season. He's not speeding up, he's 33, and he's a Dartmouth grad. Might have some other things on his mind. I have no insight there. Just guessing.
So, yes, odd year for the USST. Older athletes heading out. Lots of "stuff" going on. I am of the opinion that taking whatever this group says with a grain of salt makes sense. The USSSA, and USST are heavily dependent on this for raising money, maintaining sponsorship deals, and bringing others on. And with the real potential of our only medals coming from MS, I am told that some sponsors question what we are not "better."
Back to LV. I am guessing that she has had a number of conversations about staying in that lane, and being appealing to everybody. I think you can see the "appeal to everybody" in her appearance lately. Toned down a bit. She always looks more universally appealing in the finish area than she does on a Hollywood runway. If her agent at IMG explained the business risk of this latest snafu, we might see her be a bit wiser. I'm not sure if she's ever said "I'd prefer not to comment on that," or similar. May see more of that. By the way, I am of the opinion that a bit of concern of what might come out of her mouth is nothing new.
We all want to see the "real" version of these people. We rarely do, IMO. I do think we see it with Ligety. I think he's very, very genuine, and
bright. He was raised with the thought that he might not be a world class skier, might have other interests, etc. LV, JM.....not so much. They were headed to the WC at 13. And what they are comfortable talking about, and "safe" at talking about is somewhat narrow in scope.
Just a hunch. Nothing all that new. But the media in 2017-2018 surely is a different thing.