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We thought it would be interesting to see
how the Australians would have done in the the overall Team standings if
they had chosen their team a bit differently. Imagine if they had
selected the following team to represent Team Australia:
Brett New, Gizella Halasz, Brett Sands, John Pennay, Ken Derry and Peter
O'Niel
The result would have been
that the Australian Team would have put a major spanking on the USA to the tune of 377 overall points.
Final standings would have been, Australia 8323, USA 7946.
The Australians proved they
could post a 2nd place finish without their top skiers and walk away
from the Worlds knowing they now have more skiers with Worlds
experience. The question is, based on this Worlds, who will they
be selecting for their team in two years? Could they even convince
Brett or John Pennay to come back on the team if they wanted them
to? All questions that will be answered in time.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
HI Chuck,
Good to read your site as always.
In your Worlds section I must say that I'm a little disappointed with the
Ponder on This... section. The reason why and how Australia choose their teams is very simple. It is done on merit and also ability. We selected a team this year on youth with ability to go the next step. They almost did and only 300 points isn't a lot when you do all the
math. The reason we didn't select Brett or Kenny is that they only decided to ski 2 months out from the Worlds. John only decided 30 days out. So we, as our selection policy states, go for the skiers who meet our criteria for the team. John, Brett and Kenny all knew the rules from the outset and chose not to meet them. However, Australia had no qualms or hesitations about letting them ski as independents. They qualified and that was good enough for us. In fact to add I must point out that all 3 of the guys didn't want to be in the team if it meant kicking one of the younger ones out. Quite a good attitude I think. Yep we could have won with the boys and then yep we also could have lost as well. Especially in the others trying to make teams and knowing that no matter how hard they try we could overlook them to win a medal.
When our next Worlds teams are selected it will be the same story. You either meet the Team requirements or you don't ski in it. Sounds hard but we have come from a hard road down here in recent years in relation to selection. It has to be a fair and transparent process.
I would dearly like John to be available for the Worlds in South Africa. He will know the deal and I hope he seriously considers skiing for the team. It will be his decision and choice.
If and I say this with all sincerity to John, Brett and Ken the Worlds had of been in the USA or Europe, would they have skied??? The answer is I extremely doubt it. It was in our backyard this time and that is why the issue surfaced I believe. The next Worlds could be in the USA. Will some of your older but better skiers put up their hand to ski either in the team or as independents. You have as many older skiers who can easily
out-ski some of the team members of the US team this year.
Anyway always good to have a barefoot dialogue with you. Look forward to catching up when I'm next in the US or you make it down here. I'm still going make you pay for that Atomic chicken wing!!!!!!!
Geoff Davis
Coverage
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