It’s no Super Bowl, but we’d say it’s a hell of a lot more fun to watch. The return to Colorado this year, February 2-15 in Beaver Creek. Here, our reasons to join the frenzy if you haven’t already:
1. We Have Home-Snow Advantage
Since World Cuppers started racing in Beaver Creek in 1988, the U.S. has had an impressive amount of success there. A Yank has stood atop the downhill podium more than any other country but one.
Austrian wins: 6
U.S. wins: 5
Swiss wins: 4
Norwegian and Italian wins: 2
2. Lindsey Vonn and Mikaela Shiffrin Will Duke It Out for Homecoming Queen
The two most intriguing skiers on the World Cup tour both call nearby Vail home. But there can only be one queen of the mountain. Here’s how they stack up:
Lindsey Vonn
Age: 30
World Cup wins: 64
Events at 2015 World Championships: Downhill, super-G
Secret weapon: Bionic knee
Mikaela Shiffrin
Age: 19
World Cup wins: 10
Events at 2015 World Championships: Super-G, GS, slalom
Secret weapon: Youth
Our pick: Vonn. Shiffrin is winning races at an astonishing rate, but Vonn has already surpassed her record for the all-time women’s World Cup record. She’s determined to pull off a victory here.
3. The Men Will Take Flight
The most exciting event is the men鈥檚 downhill (February 7) on , considered one of the more treacherous courses on the World Cup tour. Love to see guys fly? Keep your eyes on two of the six jumps: Golden Eagle and Red Tail.
Golden Eagle: In 2007, reigning World Cup champion Aksel Lund Svindal hit this going 72 miles per hour, flew 197 feet, and somersaulted into the safety netting鈥攐ne reason FIS is mandating that skiers wear airbags this year.
Red Tail: It’s a crowd favorite for two reasons: it’s right in front of the spectating area, and it’s the site of some spectacular crashes.
4. Bode Miller Could Win (or Crash)鈥攁nd Will Definitely Run His Mouth
At age 37, Miller may be in the twilight of his career, but he鈥檚 still one of the most exciting鈥and unpredictable鈥斅璼kiers on the tour. Plus, he has awesome hobbies (he plans to get into horse racing when he retires) and says stuff like: 鈥淚鈥檝e been crashing forever.鈥 But am I going to back off? No. 颅Because I like to do it this way, and I don鈥檛 give a fuck if I crash.鈥
5. The Fantas颅tically Cheesy Theme Song
The collaborated with Mississippi country artist on 鈥淔ly.鈥 颅According to a press release, Azar took only 鈥渁 few hours鈥 to come up with it. That鈥檚 not surprising when you consider lyrics like this:
鈥淲ith legs of steel 鈥 all you need is 颅gravity.鈥
6. We鈥檙e Guided by Satellites
GPS devices attached to the American athletes allow the team to gauge rates of acceleration and deceleration through every section of a turn. 鈥淲e now have a better idea of when to ski a more direct line and when to take a rounder line,鈥 says men鈥檚 head coach Sasha Rearick.
7. Because, As Every Racing Fan Knows, Ringing One of These Like a Maniac Is Totally OK.
