SRC WEEKLY WRAP Dec. 22, 2008

Variables are the beauty and beast of ski racing and snowsports. Skiers and riders that can handle the elements, win. Those that don't, well, better luck next time.

Let's face it, this isn't swimming where the pool is always flat and the temperature exactly the same. Ski racing is about as predictable as snow in summer.

The teams that have well-coached, well-prepared and well-focused athletes can master the elements. And more importantly the teams with depth deliver the goods every weekend. You know, the Austrian alpiners and the Norweigan XC'ers.

This past weekend, Canadians on both the freestyle and alpine circuits showed that their depth charts are improving. Guay failed to match his two training run wins on race day but Manny was there. Omischl had an off day and Shouldice stepped in. This is a good sign when we are looking at Omishcl's fifth place as an "off day".

Still, there are many holes that need to be filled, ie: the men's and women's technical alpine teams, but the predictability of a Canadian podium on most weekends is growing and the multiple-medal weekends are less a shock.

Heading into the Olympics, depth is the most important piece of the puzzle if the Canadians want to walk away with a haul of medals. It will be Canada's depth going into 2010 that will determine its success at the Games.

-- SRC Editors
editor@srcmag.ca