Bavarian Biathletes - 01.09.2006

Every ski I race on goes directly from the Rossignol factory to Sport Bauer in Schleching, Germany, a small town in the Bavarian Alps. That is where Muck Bauer stone grinds the skis, which adds a permanent structure underneath the ski making it glide faster over the snow. After exhaustive testing of grinds from all around the world, I know my skis with the Bauer stone grinds are the fastest.

I have met Muck at World Cups and while testing skis, but never saw the actual grinding machine. Therefore, it was a real treat to receive an invitation to come to a media event in Schleching at Muck’s shop. The event was organized by Muck and Heinz Hammerschidt of Hammerschmidt GmbH, who provided a traditional Bavarian outfit including Lederhosen to all of us athletes present at the event which helped generate support for the US Biathlon’s waxing and grinding programs. The event included Lowell Bailey, Jeremy Teela, and me from the 2006 Olympic Biathlon Team, along with Ricco Gross and Kati Wilhelm, two living legends of biathlon who also get their skis waxed and ground under a cooperation with the US Biathlon Team.

Meeting the local residents while signing autographs, and trying on Lederhosen for the first time made the evening a lot of fun, and gave us “Amis” a feel of the Bavarian culture. I also got a glimpse of the grinding machine used to grind my skis. To symbolize the German / American cooperation we ate a traditional American meal, meat and potatoes with Ben and Jerry’s Ice cream for dessert. Then Lowell broke out the guitar and sang along with Muck’s son, and we talked into the night.

Overall it was a great evening. It was very generous of Heinz to let us keep our Lederhosen outfits, and I have found several opportunities to wear it again since. Just a tip, showing up to a festival in Bayern or Austria without your Lederhosen is like going to a Halloween party without a costume.

Thanks to Muck, Heinz, and Bernd.



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