Vanessa-Mae

Just read a telegraph report "Vanessa-Mae slowest in giant-slalom first run as she sits in 74th spot at Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics".

Have to say for all the +ve's of an independent press they are frequently pretty ignorant on the topics they write. From photo she is clearly an accomplished skier, who has been skiing since she was 4. An article on the spirit of the Olympic Games and or the sheer athleticism and commitment that is required to compete at the top level of female skiing might have been more appropriate when written from a middle age bloke who I can assume has never had his skis on edge like in photo.

Still we invented Punch and Judy, just a shame that our politicians and press can't seem to frequently show little more imagination. No wonder Internationally we are largely associated with being an island nation predominantly full of miserable ignorant people eating chips (no fish left in sea).

Can't disagree with any of that.

Ranchero_1979 wrote:just a shame that our politicians and press can't seem to frequently show little more imagination.

The British Olympic Association give every impression of suffering the same affliction, having turned down no fewer than 5 Sochi places offered to our skiers!

There is much discussion of this elsewhere, with the inescapable conclusion that our athletes are likely to be better off a) moving to other countries and b) choosing to represent anyone-but-Britain as their best chance of selection.

I'll leave this link with no further comment... http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/other-sports/senior-official-forced-to-issue-apology-over-ski-fixing-email.23444316

Ranchero_1979 wrote:an island nation predominantly full of miserable ignorant people eating chips (no fish left in sea).

:lol: :lol: :lol:

Pass the salt.

Agree with all the above, but, Ranchero, please, (to paraphrase Pink Floyd) leave us "middle-aged blokes" alone :)

Yes, British press is pretty pathetic. She is not a professional athlete, wanted to ski in Olympics and Thailand let her represent them. Where is the crime? Independent says it was a small step back for the cause of of women's sport. Really? Others underline she finished LAST. And at the same time celebrating Chemmy as if she has won anything or was a serious contender. A professional athlete who mostly skis for living... Perspective is totally missing here.

They can't have another Eddy the eagle can they ..He made the look foolish..but as we didn't have any mens downhill skiers they can't have been doing their jobs very well..I admire Vanessa Mae..so what she came last ...she competed..and if you have ever stood next to a ski jump ramp you'll know how brave Eddy was

It is a shame that the IOC block people like Eddie and British media attack people like Vanessa as they both represent some of the best aspects of human beings. In consequence the Olympics become more about political power games, corporate sponsorship and (this one) homophobia than sport and endeavour. We should celebrate the best and we should celebrate striving to be the best which in the case of Brits and winter sports includes striving against having no money and limited training facilities.

and no snow!

daved wrote:and no snow!

What!~ 5m deep in Scotland AND on Hellvellyn

Can't agree more with the sentiments in favour of Vanessa Mae. It's not as though she fiddled her place.....