Many may know of Lila Lapanja, who's almost 23, and a native of Truckee, CA. Lila, other than some Schiffrin kid was arguably our next best SL skier {perhaps a touch behind Resi}. She scored her first World Cup Points, has plowed through injury, and in a move that I would say was quite unpopular with many, even controversial, was dropped by the USST. She did not meet the "objective criteria".
I have thought the decision was nuts. Look at our SL ranks? We have Mikeala, and Resi near the end of the road and...........
Two years ago, when MS was winning WC SL races by three seconds, Lila was right on her heels in training. She has always had jets, and it was acknowledged that she just needed to get it consistent. Which is not insurmountable.
At any rate, her sponsor Clif Bar has risen to the occasion, to say the very least. They are not just supporting her by writing a check, they have essentially built her a team, with a world class coach and a tech. Her father, also a coach will be heavily involved. This is like a factory team, in some respects.
If the USST doesn't get their act together, you are going to see MORE of this. Their criteria makes many shake their heads.
This article appeared today in the premium section of Skiracing. I hope that it will work.
https://www.skiracing.com/premium/raising-the-bar-2
Interesting stuff. Word has it from a Pugger or two that she has been skiing really well in Summit County. Wishing her the best in the upcoming NorAms. She'll be back soon. Very talented. Exceptionally athletic. And a "good kid."
I have thought the decision was nuts. Look at our SL ranks? We have Mikeala, and Resi near the end of the road and...........
Two years ago, when MS was winning WC SL races by three seconds, Lila was right on her heels in training. She has always had jets, and it was acknowledged that she just needed to get it consistent. Which is not insurmountable.
At any rate, her sponsor Clif Bar has risen to the occasion, to say the very least. They are not just supporting her by writing a check, they have essentially built her a team, with a world class coach and a tech. Her father, also a coach will be heavily involved. This is like a factory team, in some respects.
If the USST doesn't get their act together, you are going to see MORE of this. Their criteria makes many shake their heads.
This article appeared today in the premium section of Skiracing. I hope that it will work.
https://www.skiracing.com/premium/raising-the-bar-2
Interesting stuff. Word has it from a Pugger or two that she has been skiing really well in Summit County. Wishing her the best in the upcoming NorAms. She'll be back soon. Very talented. Exceptionally athletic. And a "good kid."
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