Phil Mahre back on the race circuit

By Published On: August 3rd, 2006Comments Off on Phil Mahre back on the race circuit

Phil Mahre back on the race circuitRacers can expect a familiar face on the course this winter, slightly aged as it may be since its last appearance around the gates.

Phil Mahre, Olympic gold medalist in the 1984 Sarajevo slalom event and three-time World Cup overall winner, is planning on making a comeback. Never mind that he’s almost 50, Mahre wants to rack up enough points to qualify for U.S. nationals.

“It’s probably a lofty goal,” said Mahre, who competed in his first real race events since 1991 over Memorial Day weekend at the Golden Rose slaloms and giant slaloms at Mount Hood, Oregon. He finished third, fifth and eighth, despite starting as No. 102.

“I’ll go out and catch some FIS races,” he said. “I don’t want to pull any strings to make this happen. I want to qualify like everyone else.”

Mahre’s twin brother, Steve, who took silver behind his brother in the ’84 Olympic slalom and was perpetually either a split second ahead or behind his sibling, supports Phil but won’t be joining him in his return to racing.

“I know I can beat him on any given day,” joked Steve. “I think it would be fun to do that with him, but my knees are saying, ‘Steve, you don’t want to do that.’ ”

Mahre’s return may turn some heads this season, and while some on the racing circuit wonder at the plausibility of the middle-age medalist’s goal of qualifying for U.S. nationals, most feel it will add a new twist to the competition atmosphere.

“I haven’t seen him ski in so long, I don’t know how he skis anymore,” said U.S. men’s tech coach Greg Needell. “I think Phil can do whatever he wants without too much criticism. Bode [Miller] brought back a lot of his greatness. When Bode started to win a bunch of races, people started talking about Phil again. I think he’ll be received really well. Most of the guys who remember who Phil is will probably want to beat him.”

For the full story, check out the latest issue of Ski Racing magazine, set to hit the press in late August.

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About the Author: Pete Rugh