Bode Miller the reasons for his switch to Atomic, and question of service

[CaddyDaddy77]

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.”

[Mulletizer]

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...

[CaddyDaddy77]

Glad to hear I wasn't the only ones to give up on Atomic 10+ years ago. I haven't owned a pair since my aqua ARC's bent.


Sounds like both Bode and Rhalves should be pretty well set up, this season should be fun to watch. Finally gettin g OLN so I can actually watch some races too.

[Ski Monkey]

A bit of a hijack, but my big daddies are the most bomber skis I've been on. Closing day at alta i was skiing rocks every 100 feet it seemed like. End of the day I didn't so much as have a ding in the bases or edges. Blew my mind. My G4's or Beasts would have been toast. My 10.22's and 9.16's are pretty bomber and hold up well although I can't compare them with much.

[interloper]

Bodie is going to dominate next season. The Beta Technology is what makes the ski absorb all the vibration.
I too skied Atomic ARC's in the early 80's. After the second pair delaminated I moved on. However,for the last 3 years I've skied on only Atomics. SX and SL models. The SX(Supercross)skis are unbelievable in any condition. They can rail ice or mash the manke. If you haven't ski Atomics for awhile give them a try,you won't be disappointed.

[Xover]

Originally posted by Ski Monkey
A bit of a hijack, but my big daddies are the most bomber skis I've been on. Closing day at alta i was skiing rocks every 100 feet it seemed like. End of the day I didn't so much as have a ding in the bases or edges. Blew my mind. My G4's or Beasts would have been toast. My 10.22's and 9.16's are pretty bomber and hold up well although I can't compare them with much.

Ditto on my Big Dads as well.
Their edge cracked 2 seasons ago and I was a little worried about a blow out last season, but they held together like no ski I have ever seen and I skied some gnarly, rocky chit this past year.

[dewey]

The Beta Technology is what makes the ski absorb all the vibration.

Ummm. Beta technology is one of those marketing hype terms that might as well be the next thing off of the shop kid's head -(superthrobumolatorizer makes about as much sense). Sure, you get your bubbly top-sheet and crap - but it doesn't actually DO anything.

One thing is for sure - no one on the world cup has anything CLOSE to "beta technology" on their skis. Take a look at them sometime.

[interloper]

Originally posted by dewey
Ummm. Beta technology is one of those marketing hype terms that might as well be the next thing off of the shop kid's head -(superthrobumolatorizer makes about as much sense). Sure, you get your bubbly top-sheet and crap - but it doesn't actually DO anything.

One thing is for sure - no one on the world cup has anything CLOSE to "beta technology" on their skis. Take a look at them sometime.

Well I'm no Rocket Scientist but I assumed that the Beta Tech. was the Internal Dual rods running lengthwise. Anyway,it works for me.

[ak_powder_monkey]

Originally posted by interloper
Well I'm no Rocket Scientist but I assumed that the Beta Tech. was the Internal Dual rods running lengthwise. Anyway,it works for me.

Fuck Beta Tech I just want McConkey Tech... Go spatulas!

[Plakespear]

Originally posted by ak_powder_monkey
Fuck Beta Tech I just want McConkey Tech... Go spatulas!

Every day I'm becoming a bigger fan of this kid.

[seldon]

At least he doesn't try for subtlety .

[mr_gyptian]

Did anyone talk to someone that liked his signature ski from Rossi?

Atleast he didn't call Rossi's cross country skis like did Fischer on his way out.

[Jumper Bones]

Originally posted by mr_gyptian
Did anyone talk to someone that liked his signature ski from Rossi?

Atleast he didn't call Rossi's cross country skis like did Fischer on his way out.

eh? wtf are you saying here? me no follow.

[dipstik]

Originally posted by mr_gyptian
Did anyone talk to someone that liked his signature ski from Rossi?

Are you talking abotu the Bode One's? If so, me and my buddy were skiing at sugarbush and some guy on Bode One's passed us by. My buddy, being the gear head he is, chased the guy down to question him about the skis. The guy looked to be a decent skier and he said they were a really good ski. (EC good) From what I've heard though they are just the RPM 100's with a beefier sidewall...

[mr_gyptian]

Originally posted by Jetter
eh? wtf are you saying here? me no follow.

First off, Dipstick you don't have to qualify a good skier statement with EC good. Vermont's a fuckin' factory.

Jetter, Bode called Fischer race ski's XC ski's in an NBC interview I saw two years ago.

Something to the effect "I was pushing the ski's too hard, but what do you expect from cross country ski's??"

[CantDog]

Originally posted by mr_gyptian
First off, Dipstick you don't have to qualify a good skier statement with EC good. Vermont's a fuckin' factory.

Dip was implying that the skis were EC good, not the skier. So basically a good ice ski.

[dipstik]

Originally posted by CantDog
Dip was implying that the skis were EC good, not the skier. So basically a good ice ski.

Exactly.

[mr_gyptian]

oh

[CaddyDaddy77]

Originally posted by dipstik
Are you talking abotu the Bode One's? If so, me and my buddy were skiing at sugarbush and some guy on Bode One's passed us by. My buddy, being the gear head he is, chased the guy down to question him about the skis. The guy looked to be a decent skier and he said they were a really good ski. (EC good) From what I've heard though they are just the RPM 100's with a beefier sidewall...

Roger that, if you liked the RPM, imagine it wioth more guts.

Still having a hard time with Bode and Rahlves wearing soem pink and white fruit-boots.

Good Article in Ski-press with CEO of Atomic, on Bode, Volant's direction, etc.

[Alkasquawlik]

Sidenote: Bode Miller was the original pick for the Montana Warren Miller trip. But since he switched to Atomic, (Atomic doesn't sponsor the film) they decided to take me. Didn't think Bode's desicion was going to effect me like that. But thanks a lot Bode.

[train07]

Who are you sponsered by, Alka?

[non grata]

Originally posted by train07
Who are you sponsered by, Alka?

http://home.earthlink.net/~codytownsend/id2.html