Lindsey Jacobellis Treated Harshly by NBC for Snowboard Cross Gaff, According to Snow

[gerard]

Snowboard culture and Olympic culture are at odds. NBC treated Lindsey Jacobellis too harshly when she grabbed her snowboard instead of the gold medal at the Olympics Snowboard Cross Finals, says Snowboard Website Owner Lauren Traub Teton.
Pound Ridge (PRWEB) February 20, 2006 --Near the conclusion of the Women’s Snowboard cross Final, one of the most exciting races of this Olympics with an unprecedented three second lead over her nearest competitor, Lindsey Jacobellis grabbed her board with her hand while flying over the penultimate jump. Exhibiting major style, she pushed her board slightly forward in the air in a “backside method air.” Unfortunately she landed badly, on her edge instead of flat on the bottom of the board, and lost her balance tumbling down onto the snow and losing her first place Gold medal finish.

Lindsey cried on the podium as she received her Silver Olympic Medal. She cried from frustration and embarrassment, but is ready to move past this mistake. However, NBC sports commentator Bob Costas, who interviewed her, was relentless in grilling her about whether she was “showboating” with her backside method grab, when she should have been focused on getting over the finish line, says snowboard writer Lauren Traub Teton.

NBC was quick on the trigger in their post-race feature on Lindsey, showing the prepared filmed reel of Dallas Cowboy’s Leon Lett and other sports stars making ridiculous errors in sports. Lauren Traub Teton says “They had that reel ready to roll, and Lindsey Jacobellis was the unfortunate and inappropriate target for them to flaunt their “emergency preparedness. But Lindsey remained as poised and composed as possible and showed the true spirit of a sportsman and a champ during the difficult interview.”

She made an honest mistake, like so many other athletes did in this Olympics, including Bode Miller and Apolo Anton Ohno. She is a world Champion snowboard cross rider and the first American rider to win boardercross and halfpipe competitions at the same World Cup in 2004.

Lauren Traub Teton says, “It was out of line, sensational, and disrespectful for the NBC commentators to deem her “self-congratulatory” and “counting her chickens before they hatched.”

Snowboard culture is different than that of other Olympic sports. Terje Haakonsen, one of the greatest snowboarders in the world doesn’t believe that snowboarding should be an Olympic sport, for that very reason. Most snowboard events are not cutthroat competitions like other Olympic sports. Snowboarders will always say “we do it for the fun” just as Lindsey did when asked about her grab in the race.

The Olympic Snowboarders are not even referred to as “a team” by their governing body, although skiers are. Before major snowboard events, riders are surprisingly relaxed in the starting area before competing. Many of them improvise their routines in the halfpipe to adapt to ever changing surface conditions, unlike in most of the other winter Olympic events. Lindsey, as a champion halfpipe rider, improvised her grab in the race, and landed wrong.

Snowboard cross Olympic Gold winner Seth Wescott said, “the trick she tried is second nature to us. The people who criticize, don't understand the sport at all.” Todd Richards said from the announcers booth that if he were in Lindsey’s boots and had a chance to do “the most stylish trick in snowboarding” he would have probably gone for it too.

Teton adds “Yes, she may lose mega-bucks in potential endorsement dollars. Yes, perhaps she made a bad decision in the split second she had to decide which hand to grab her board with and what kind of move to pull to stabilize herself in the air. The good news is that she won a Silver Olympic medal, and will become a household name as a snowboard hero.” Jacobellis said "I think it's silly for athletes to look at a sport to get better deals and endorsements," Jacobellis said. "They should do it because they enjoy and love it."

Seth Westcott added: "The aesthetic of the sport, the style aspect, is what draws all of us into it. It's in many ways an artistic expression. The freestyle aspect of it is where the soul of the sport lies. It would have been a shame if she didn't go for it."

Lauren Traub Teton is editor and creator of five snowboard websites to serve the snowboard community. She is a snowboard writer and commentator, a member of NASJA and she loves to snowboard.

[DPancoast]

man, at least she medaled. That's what I say.

[SnoChica]

Todd Richards said from the announcers booth that if he were in Lindsey’s boots and had a chance to do “the most stylish trick in snowboarding” he would have probably gone for it too.
I have a hard time believing that Todd Richards thinks a tweaked backside method is the most stylish trick in snowboarding. Then again, he's old school, so who knows. But I do remember him almost having a heart attack when it happened. I'd like to hear that full quote from Todd, in context.

[cavlax1]

Fcuk Costas he needs to stick with Inside the NFL, he doesnt know ish about snarfin the gnarf, who wouldnt try and showboat that is what this sport is about, not sure if kiddies remember but back when the x-games were some what legit (x-games II) some dude did a backflip indy to make a pass on a table during the finals of boarder x, he came 3rd and made sportscenter top ten! and second of all here here to terje! that man is the ish! comps suck!

[icewired]

I think she should have just kept going, but hey it was her decision and she is the one that has to live with her decision so I can't knock her for it.

[yawningisgood]

Yeah u heard me, F the olympics i dont really like snowboarding in the olympics cuz all these stuck up, mother ****ers who dont even participate in the sport gotta criticize us boarders... Ya know. And i dont like how the whole olympic community make us "snowboarders" out to be some sorta wierdos, like were different, well we are, but like we are from another planet or something, hell its all second nature to us, the things we do on a daily basis on the mtn... So i say hell i back her up 110% on her decision to do the grab, hell i probably would of done it too, i would of had to live with my mistakes, but thats life, but yeah, and snowboarding is about FUN, so **** the olympics and all there bull**** they bring along with them, snowboarding is better off without the olympics, theres my 2 cents... later

[SnowGeek]

Since they repeated it in slow-motion so many times, I don't see how the grab was the cause of the bad landing.

[CustomRider13]

man, I was bummed when I saw that. That gold medal was hers. If only she did that on the last jump, she could've messed up but could've still managed to finish first.

[natjester]

I tell you what, I was having one of the worst days I have had in a long time...feeling like a total f* up...but after watching that...the rest of the night was a breeze for me.

I dont blame her for trying it...I probably wouldn't have made the same decision, but if thats what she wants to do, then rock on. Thats whats so great about the sport...you can do whatever you want to express yourself out there. Had she pulled it off and won the gold, people would have been talking about it for years.

Does she deserve all the criticism...maybe...thats a part of the sport too. Take the good with the bad. The Olympics isn't just about you and your style...its about representing your country. Dont like it...dont participate/watch it...but thats really all it is. Personally I prefer the X-games, its much more relaxed and fun atmosphere...but I'll still watch the olympics.

[CustomRider13]

what really sucks about that is, the Olympics only come around once every 4 years. She might not get the same chance in 4 years as she did this one. Wished she would've got it because she deserved it.

[DPancoast]

Since they repeated it in slow-motion so many times, I don't see how the grab was the cause of the bad landing.

I was thinking the same thing.

[karen]

i say who really cares, what happened happened, no sense dwelling on the past. no regrets, it's not the end of the world.

[teoo82]

mann bob costas was grillin shaun too about his gold medal .... askin him if hes gunna score with it .... the guys a joke yo

[Weasel Sp]

dude if i was way out in front like that i would do some kind of trick also just because i would be so pumped up...

i still give props to lindsey for getting that far, it was just a mistake its not the end of the world...

and NBC did treat her very harshly i think they just need to chill

[CustomRider13]

mann bob costas was grillin shaun too about his gold medal .... askin him if hes gunna score with it .... the guys a joke yo
lol, yeah I remember seeing that and thinking, "laaaaame".

[Corkscrewed]

i thought they were way too harsh on her. Considering the fact that some of America's "superstars" didn't even medal (Bode Miller), and others didn't place as high as they should've, they should cut her some slack!

[Snow Wolf]

Thats one of the things I hate about watching any sport....some loud mouthed know it all poser reporter or announcer who could`nt even begin to do the first thing an athlete does...be it a snowboarder, ball player or whatever...start flapping their fat jaws about every little mistake the athlete makes.

[STR8 STEEZ]

I actually kno lindsey....stayed wit her n her family in their house on stratton

shes mad kool but she said she was upset with herself. but cant change d past w/e:doh:

[LJT]

Hi
I wrote that article that started this thread "Lindsey Jacobellis Treated Harshly...". The point in a nutshell is that the mistake she made was landing wrong, not grabbing her board.
She might have landed wrong even without the grab.

Thanks for your support on this thread.
Lauren
Editor, www.SnowboardSecrets.com (http://www.SnowboardSecrets.com)

[soxfan2446]

Hey I'll admit I was pissed off when she lost, you've got to win for your country, but it's also about having fun. Maybe it was just a bad time to mix the two, have fun when your in the park without the whole world watching.

[Marie]

imagine how much regret she goes through(maybe everyday)
i know exactly how she feels, i've been through that numerous amounts of times, and it sucks.
they never show that here in canada(for obvious reasons), but honestly, if she wanted a gold medal that badly to cry over it, then she should have been smarter and should have not done that trick. i mean, ITS THE OLYMPICS.

[stuckintexas]

i think its tight. if she was winning that much before its obvious that she was the best. Props to her for tryin to add some steeze to the olympics.

[DragonUSMC]

^yeah but like i told the radio talk show host who had me on his show to talk about snowboarding in the Olympics... Its not a Transworld Event, its not X-games... Olympics means you represent something bigger then yourself. She didnt fail herself she failed all of us because of arrogance.

I mean i know why she did it, and i can see it from a snowboarders point of view... but if it was the x-games... no one would even think twice, they would laugh at it. But because its the Olympics... its not about her.

anyway this is damn old!

[Baz3001]

^yeah but like i told the radio talk show host who had me on his show to talk about snowboarding in the Olympics... Its not a Transworld Event, its not X-games...


This sentence is designed to show off that you were on the radio isnt it :p

[DragonUSMC]

maybe kinda... but no that was the a huge question people had was "that the snowboarder screw it all" mentality that made her do that, and do other snowboarders praise her for that.

after that day that's all we talked about, everyone who called in made some stupid comment about worthless snowboarders and skateboarders... etc etc.

[Baz3001]

I don't think its anything to do with being a snowboarder. It's just down the individual. Everyone else in the event was a snowboarder too, they didn't do the same thing.

[stuckintexas]

they werent way ahead of every one else.....

[DragonUSMC]

^heh, tuche' and good point.

[EarthFirst!]

Dragon your just upset cause your capt america and want america to win everything.. good for her to try and spice up the olympics which can be incredibly boring at times.

[DragonUSMC]

^wow... yeah maybe you should get to know me before you post retardation. Maybe even read the other 2 pages before commenting. Good job kid...

[EarthFirst!]

"She didnt fail herself she failed all of us because of arrogance."
You sound a little upset if you ask me..and the olympics are meant to promote peace and international cooperation anyways, not too represent a single nation and dominate in everything. I know peace and cooperation may not be your strong suit.. but if you check out how your corps are FINALLY working with iraqi tribal leaders after 5 years.. maybe youll learn something :o

[DragonUSMC]

^yup why dont you tell me more about what i did in iraq. Last time I checked they didnt let little bois over there to see whats going on. Keep watchin your high school 10 min news broadcasts... your almost sounding smart.

And if you cant understand the simple statement of "She didnt fail herself she failed all of us because of arrogance." Then you are too young to grab the idealism behind the Olympics. I'm not going to explain it to you.

But so far everything you've posted on this site has been useless and arrogant. Watch out or i'll send the intelligent Engerland posters here to slap some sense into you...

[FearMe]

Who the **** is this ****ing dip**** kid to say anything? Do you know Shovelface, yes thats what I refer to her as, well do you? If you knew her you'd realize 1. She's a dumbass 2. You're a bigger dumbass 3. She only cares about herself.

So do us all a favor swallow some environmentally unfriendly bleach you tree hugging, anti war participating, little kid and make the world a better place.

*This ad is proudly endorsed by A ssholes for America*

[EarthFirst!]

I think I did grab the idealism behind the olympics.. promoting peace and cooperation is the basic idea.

[EarthFirst!]

So if we're not in Iraq because Bush wanted to solidify his legacy by taking out a dictator, and he wanted to secure some of the largest oil fields in the world... why exactly are we in Iraq again? Al Queda wasnt there to begin with.. all we did was cause radical thinking Iraqis to form Al Queda in IRAQ.

[snowboarding_bear]

dude earth first..ive had a pimple on my a55 that i found less annoying then you

[DragonUSMC]

So if we're not in Iraq because Bush wanted to solidify his legacy by taking out a dictator, and he wanted to secure some of the largest oil fields in the world... why exactly are we in Iraq again? Al Queda wasnt there to begin with.. all we did was cause radical thinking Iraqis to form Al Queda in IRAQ.

There is a thread already for this discussion. Mods please move this post, it is completely irrelevant to this discussion.

[DragonUSMC]

I think I did grab the idealism behind the olympics.. promoting peace and cooperation is the basic idea.

hummmm you must have missed the part about competition between the nations of the world. THEREFORE the athletes represent something greater them themselves. Which means their actions reflect upon the entire national team as a whole.

Guess that wasnt a question on your PSATs... lol

[FearMe]

So like I said, who the **** is this little turd burglar?

[DragonUSMC]

Some POS that started things off here with this attitude and was pretending he was from England. here is a quote from his profile.

"oh yeah if I like capitalize my letters and type good english and **** its cause I have ocd, not cause I give a rat's ass about the american language... "

So he even made it sound like he is from Engerland. So i was going to have Bazzel to slap him a few times but then he quickly moved from England to New England in about an hour's time.

But he basicly knows everything, has horrible debate skills, the logic of well... someone that is 16, and even with all that he cant figure out what side of board he needs with his fat feet.

But he might just be right up your alley Fear! I bet he's blonde, blue eyed, and LOVES Bukkake! You like the younger ones right?

[geneva]

what a dirty hippie

[Cr0_Reps_Smit]

:hippie:fukin hippies!

[swiftnotarizer]

Get a job and a haircut, you hippie freak!

[snowboarding_bear]

hipppies...grosss

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frC0v-J3fPU

[geneva]

they're nothin but pachouli smellin, good for nothin dead heads!

[FearMe]

I love me them youngens, show them what prison sex is all about. I'd smother him in some man love like he's never seen, hold him down and make him squeal like a chiahua.

[geneva]

I love me them youngens, show them what prison sex is all about. I'd smother him in some man love like he's never seen, hold him down and make him squeal like a chiahua.
that's a little gnarly, don't ya think? the name FearMe fits you well....:shock:

[I AM UN...INC]

hippies scare me

[Cr0_Reps_Smit]

i scare hippies!

[snowboarding_bear]

how do you hide money from a hippie?
put it under the soap