Lindsey Jacobellis: The End Of Snowboarding Innocence
by: Terry McDermott
Lindsey Jacobellis flew into the frigid Italian atmosphere as a celebrated and admired snowboarding superstar but, after an adrenalin-fueled grab at her board in mid-flight, she returned to earth in a meteoric flameout destined to make her a lock for membership in the sports Bonehead Hall of Fame. But her gaffe also represents a watershed moment for a sport once typified by such actions.
Snowboarding is a serious sport populated by serious athletes. Participants in competitions throughout the world work and train and sacrifice to race and win and be recognized as the best in their sport. But the ascension of snowboarding from a wild, rebellious and carefree winter activity to a corporately-sponsored, mainstream, Olympic-level competition has resulted in attitudes and expectations that are radically divergent from the once-radical personality that dominated the sport.
Lindsey Jacobellis began snowboarding in rural Roxbury, CT when she was 10-years old. Coached by her older brother, Ben, Lindsey was forced to compete against boys since there was no girls? division for the sport. This co-ed racing helped her develop a highly competitive spirit. Leading up to the Olympics she trained with the American men since she is the only U.S. woman competing in snowboard cross.
She is, quite simply, the best women?s snowboard cross racer in the world. But, as a result of her fall in the Italian Alps, she will not be an Olympic champion in 2006.
What Lindsey Jacobellis will be, to many, is a showboating hot dog. She will be derided for being cocky, over-confidant and foolish. One television reporter stated that Lindsey had left a ?blemish on the sport of snowboarding.?
Another said that the ?nation?s hope for a gold medal? in this event rested ?solely on her shoulders.? Her agent is probably on suicide watch after seeing his dreams of gold medal endorsement deals get swept away in an avalanche of shattered dreams.
And how does Lindsey feel about all of this? "I went for the jump because I was having fun," she said. "Snowboarding is fun, and I wanted to share that with the crowd. ... I was caught up in the moment and forgot that I had to race.?
Poor Lindsey. Doesn?t she realize that competing at this level is not supposed to be fun? That getting ?caught up in the moment? was a reckless, selfish and careless demonstration of na?ve exuberance? How could Lindsey have been so irresponsible that she would have allowed the thrill of flying down a frosty hill, free, fast and in first-place by a snowboarding mile, to be manifested in a flamboyant maneuver for which snowboarders used to be hailed?
?Used to be?? That is the operative phrase at the moment. Snowboarding has come of age. Millions are watching world-class athletes compete for gold, silver and bronze. Fame and fortune await the winners. Only memories of a temporary place on the world stage await the rest. But Lindsey Jacobellis will forever straddle the chasm between Olympic winners and Olympic losers. She now carries the weight of Olympic silver around her neck and the stigma of Olympic failure on her competitive resume.
By her self-inflicted disaster, Lindsey Jacobellis has elevated snowboarding to a premier winter sport. No longer will the freewheeling, high-flying, ?hey dude, watch this,? X Game-style mentality apply to competitive snowboarding.
It?s about winning and money and national honor and endorsements. Getting ramped up and having fun are no longer permissible attitudes for the sport.
Dude, this is serious!
About The Author
J. Terrence (Terry) McDermott does not ski nor can he snowboard. He does, however, manage a website that offers tons of ski and snowboard equipment at SnowboardsandSkis.com. If he did snowboard, he hopes that he would share the same healthy perspective that Lindsey Jacobellis has so far demonstrated.
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Estate Silver Jewelry Is A Hot Fashion Pick!
Estate Silver Jewelry Is A Hot Fashion Pick!
by: Sher Matsen
Sterling silver is an excellent choice in estate jewelry.
Long lasting, easy to care for, and so beautiful.
Buying estate jewelry sterling silver can be a lot of fun but it can also be confusing.
Whether you are looking at sterling silver for a gift for that special someone or looking to add to your own jewelry to make that fashion statement, it?s important you understand the terms that are used throughout the industry.
Once you understand the terminology you will be better equipped to choose quality pieces of sterling silver jewelry and you?ll be able to complete your purchases with a lot more confidence.
It doesn?t matter whether you are buying on line or at your local store.
It doesn?t matter if you are buying in the USA or Canada or in Europe or China.
The terminology used to describe silver are the same around the world.
Sterling...
Estate Silver Jewelry Is A Hot Fashion Pick!
Gold ring > Estate Silver Jewelry Is A Hot Fashion Pick!
Diamond Jewelry vs Moissanite Jewelry
Diamond Jewelry vs Moissanite Jewelry
by: Janice Wee
Diamonds and Moissanite look alike. Both are dazzling stones that are clear and have a brilliant fire. Price wise, they are miles apart.
Diamond jewelry or Moissanite jewelry? Which should you choose?
If you only look at the prices and brilliance, moissanite seems like the better buy.
Then again, diamonds are way more expensive because diamonds are natural gemstones that are rare and are mined from the earth itself. Diamonds are precious. The moissanite you see in stores is actually an artificial gemstone. Often used as diamond substitute as they look very much alike. Diamonds are rare and precious while more moissanite can be made any time to meet any demand. Diamonds are an investment. Moissanite is well... decorative. More about moissanite at http://www.alljewelry.info/moissanite.html
When are diamonds...
Diamond Jewelry vs Moissanite Jewelry
Gold ring > Diamond Jewelry vs Moissanite Jewelry
Fashion Directions for 2006
Fashion Directions for 2006
by: Mary Bailis
Fashion styles are forever changing. What do this year's changes bring forth? Fashion is up and down and all around this year. Accessories are going to sizzle this summer, hemlines are going down a bit, pants waistlines are going up, necklaces are going down, scarves are fluid, earrings are dangling, handbags get soft, and belts are back. Feminine, sexy and sultry styles will keep those heads turning. Sheers, crocheted lace, silky satin and flowing gauze will be everywhere. Comfy cool and sexy, sounds like a great year for women!
Accessories are fabulous this year and are leaning in the arts & craft direction. We will start with necklaces. They are beady, long and plentiful. Where a single large beaded strand with artful beads or pair them up with several.
Long is where they are at as well as big and with interesting beads. Plastic, glass, wood, handmade, crocheted, and metal beads in all...
Gold ring > Fashion Directions for 2006
Color Theory for Fashionistias - Three Easy Steps to Perfect Color Every Time
Color Theory for Fashionistias - Three Easy Steps to Perfect Color Every Time
by: Carrie Johnson
Color is everywhere, in your clothes, in your jewelry. Color is life. Fashion and color coordination can make or break your carefuly planned outfit.
Here's a bit of color theory with a fashionista bent.
Primary colors
These are red, blue and yellow. In theory, you can make any color from these three primaries (except white, which is really an absence of color). In practice, it depends on what red, blue or yellow you start with, but we are not mixing paints here, so just remember that the primary colors are red, blue and yellow. You'll learn why in the next step.
The secondary colors are the colors you get from mixing equal amounts of any two primaries. (If the primaries are pure, mixing all three will give you black.)
The secondaries are purple, orange and green.
Now why do you care?
Well, primaries and...
Color Theory for Fashionistias - Three Easy Steps to Perfect Color Every Time
Gold ring > Color Theory for Fashionistias - Three Easy Steps to Perfect Color Every Time
Irish Wedding Rings
Irish Wedding Rings
by: Martin Smith
There are a number of Irish Wedding Rings that include Spirals, Triskeles, and Triquetas, Shield Knots and Sun Symbols.
The most popular ring by far is the Irish Claddagh and it is surrounded by a romantic legend.
The Claddagh is as was said, the most popular in Ireland. The ring symbolizes love, friendship , and loyalty. The ring is named for an Irish fishing village. The design of the Claddagh is constructed of two hands holding a heart with a crown on top of it. The hands represent friendship, the heart represents love, and the crown represents loyalty.
Various traditions give different meanings to the ring depending on how it is worn. As a wedding ring
it is worn on the left hand with the heart pointing inward to the wrist. As an engagement ring it is on the right hand with the heart pointing inward toward the wrist. For friendship it is worn on the right hand turned outward.
...
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