Bode Miller the reasons for his switch to Atomic, and question of service
Getting Eberharter's tech has to ruffle a few feathers, interesting article.
By Nathaniel Vinton
May 13, 2004
Bode Miller says his decision to go with Atomic equipment for the next two years was motivated by the dominating performance of the skis at the World Cup level – not monetary gain. He says he is also eager to work with his new serviceman for speed events, Tom Buergler, who until recently was the serviceman for Stephan Eberharter of Austria, the World Cup overall champion in 2003.
Miller, whose collective sponsorship agreements will earn him more than two million dollars next season, says some companies made bigger offers than Atomic did. “Obviously, [Atomic’s offer] wasn’t as high as some of the others,” said Miller, who has skied on Rossignol skis for the last two seasons, but switched to Atomic last week. “I wanted to make sure I was on the ski that gave me the best chance of winning the most races possible.”
Industry insiders speculated that Atomic’s commitments to other World Cup stars would limit their options when making bids for Miller, who was spent the late winter deciding between product from four companies: Salomon, Rossignol, Atomic and Nordica.
“I would bet that Rossignol’s offer was a good bit higher than anyone’s,” said a representative of one of the companies. “Obviously, only a few people know, but from hints that were dropped, theirs was the biggest. They were in a really exposed position.”
In a May 4 press release announcing that Miller was departing, Rossignol said he was “finally attracted by the [Atomic’s] promises … to provide him with the full program (skis and service) formerly enjoyed by the Austrian champion, Stephan Eberharter.”
Atomic disavowed this statement at the time it came out, since Eberharter has not officially made its announcement. “Any substance is missing to this message,” said Michael Schineis, Atomic’s CEO, in one of Austria’s daily newspapers, the Kurier. “We are flexible. If Stephan wants to continue skiing, in whatever form, we will find a solution.”
But Rossignol’s statement appears to be accurate insofar as Eberharter’s serviceman, Tom Buergler, was with the American team in California by early May for an on-snow training camp focusing on glide skills. There, athletes ran super G and giant slalom courses, with a little bit of slalom for Miller.
“Tom’s a super guy,” said the U.S. Ski Team’s head speed coach, John McBride. “He’s young, he’s cool, and he’s energetic. He seems to be excited to work with us.” McBride said Buergler would be incorporated into the team the same way the rest of the servicemen were.
Buergler will do speed skis for both Miller and Rahlves, and Miller says that will allow them to pool their knowledge of their equipment (both are now on Atomic boots, as well as skis). “We’ll both be able to ski on each other’s skis,” said Miller, “and Tom will be working for both of us.” The American team is known for sharing equipment more than some of the other nations do.
The question of who will be tuning Miller’s skis when he switches over to tech events is still unsettled, but Robbie Kristan – Miller’s serviceman last year – is one of the names in the running. Kristan met with Atomic executives at the factory in Altenmarkt, Austria last week. “Some final numbers are going back and forth,” said Miller, “so it seems like they’re pretty interested.”
For that reason, the U.S. Ski Team’s head men’s coach Phil McNichol is hoping that Kristan can arrange a deal with Atomic and continue working with Miller. “We’re such a tight little unit, and Robbie understands that,” said McNichol. “We know him, so it would really help expedite our relationship with Atomic.”
Because they are so far from home throughout the season, the U.S. Ski Team likes to keep a stable of servicemen traveling with the team, as opposed to having factory servicemen coming and going from the factory to the race venues. “We’re such a small team,” explains head coach speed Phil McNichol. “Everyone has to help out with little things. It’s easier when people understand that process.”
Re: Bode Miller the reasons for his switch to Atomic, and question of service
Quote:
Originally posted by CaddyDaddy77
Kristan met with Atomic executives at the factory in Altenmarkt, Austria last week.
I remember going there to pick up (ie buy at factory prices) some ARC downhill skis (with VAR binders) when I was 14. They were the biggest skis I had ever had (I think they still might be). Damn, I was proud of them. They bent on the third run. Never skied on Atomics since...
