Ski Racers Who Hit

SKI RACERS WHO HIT the slopes first seldom win. But in the 1998 Winter Olympics, Picabo Street discovered an early start isn’t always a bad thing.

The flamboyant skier captured a surprising downhill silver medal in the 1994 Lillehammer Olympics. However, a severe fall in a World Cup race left the American bruised and suffering from severe headaches leading into the 1998 Games.

Qualification for the Olympic Super G (a combination of downhill and giant slalom with long, sweeping, high-speed turns) is based on World Cup standings. Since the event utilizes only a single run, positioning often affects final placements.

Picabo’s mediocre World Cup showing forced her to the second starting spot in the field. The favorites chose later starts, believing the course would get icier and faster.

But on race day, the sun broke through a clear blue sky. Instead of hardening, the course softened. In her No. 2 spot, Street sped down the course, clocking a 1:18.02 to capture a surprising gold medal.

Austria’s Michaela Dorfmeister completed her run only .01 behind Picabo. Street’s close friend, Alexandra Meissnitzer, recorded a 1:18.09. The three medalists finished within .07 of each other—the closest grouping in Olympic skiing history.

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POINT Competing early paid off for Picabo Street. She set the pace on a harder course. Others had to risk speeds too fast for the softening snow.

Maybe you’ve heard the expression “Save the best for last.” In sports, athletes normally want to be toward the end of the competition so they can see what mark they have to beat.

But in life, we often gain by getting up early and tackling the tasks we’ve been given. The book of Mark notes that Jesus woke up early to pray. As our ultimate role model, Jesus set the best example for us to follow. He got a head start. And God wants us to get a head start for him too.

GOAL! Here’s a question for you: Would you rather go first or last in a competition? Why? Ask God to help you get an early start when he calls.