Minnaar winning streak?

lawn dart wrote:

Is 2022 the first year that Greg Minnaar has not won a World Cup or a World Championship? In a related question: is 2022 the first...

Is 2022 the first year that Greg Minnaar has not won a World Cup or a World Championship?

In a related question: is 2022 the first year that no one over 30 yrs. old has won a World Cup or World Championship?

Now that a 13 year old Canadian looks to be hot for the top spot on the box...who've we got left who's a viable WC contender over 30? Gwinn, Hart...when does Bruni turn?! Norton? Brosnan?

Peaty?

lawn dart wrote:

Is 2022 the first year that Greg Minnaar has not won a World Cup or a World Championship? In a related question: is 2022 the first...

Is 2022 the first year that Greg Minnaar has not won a World Cup or a World Championship?

In a related question: is 2022 the first year that no one over 30 yrs. old has won a World Cup or World Championship?

Now that a 13 year old Canadian looks to be hot for the top spot on the box...who've we got left who's a viable WC contender over 30? Gwinn, Hart...when does Bruni turn?! Norton? Brosnan?

Peaty?

lawn dart wrote:

...it will be interesting to see how Goldstone fairs in his first year...obviously, he's showing IMMENSE potential. The two main points I'm getting around: 1. -how...

...it will be interesting to see how Goldstone fairs in his first year...obviously, he's showing IMMENSE potential.

The two main points I'm getting around:

1. -how unusual is someone like Minnaar? He probably amassed a similar number of wins in his 30s as in his 20s, right?! But no one else has been able to race at that top level--much less win--like he has in their 30s. Not to name names, but Gee, Brooke, Cedric, ...even Gwinn, results just drop-off (though they are still ridiculously fast) once they are bedded-into their 30s, right? Personally, I'd never count ANYONE who's managed a top 5 finish in a WC from potentially winning one, but all other things being equal, youth appears to strongly favor the sport as it evolves.

2. -how unusual is Jackson Gladstone? Is the thinking that since this kid basically grew up as a downhiller--starting WAY earlier than most of his competitors, that those early years (I'm thinking of someone who's been visually and physically adapted to riding over obstacles from like 3-4 yrs old) are the key difference. In other words, going forward, if you're not training neurons to downhill from basically your diaper days forward, if you pick up riding say, in your teens, are you ever going to be able to train your mind and body to do this sport on his level? I think that a lot of other sports, historically, have approached this question--gymnasts, for instance, are frequently trained from kindergarten (or earlier) forward.

lawn dart wrote:

...it will be interesting to see how Goldstone fairs in his first year...obviously, he's showing IMMENSE potential. The two main points I'm getting around: 1. -how...

...it will be interesting to see how Goldstone fairs in his first year...obviously, he's showing IMMENSE potential.

The two main points I'm getting around:

1. -how unusual is someone like Minnaar? He probably amassed a similar number of wins in his 30s as in his 20s, right?! But no one else has been able to race at that top level--much less win--like he has in their 30s. Not to name names, but Gee, Brooke, Cedric, ...even Gwinn, results just drop-off (though they are still ridiculously fast) once they are bedded-into their 30s, right? Personally, I'd never count ANYONE who's managed a top 5 finish in a WC from potentially winning one, but all other things being equal, youth appears to strongly favor the sport as it evolves.

2. -how unusual is Jackson Gladstone? Is the thinking that since this kid basically grew up as a downhiller--starting WAY earlier than most of his competitors, that those early years (I'm thinking of someone who's been visually and physically adapted to riding over obstacles from like 3-4 yrs old) are the key difference. In other words, going forward, if you're not training neurons to downhill from basically your diaper days forward, if you pick up riding say, in your teens, are you ever going to be able to train your mind and body to do this sport on his level? I think that a lot of other sports, historically, have approached this question--gymnasts, for instance, are frequently trained from kindergarten (or earlier) forward.

smelly wrote:

Right, basically like Finn did, growing up as a competitive skier. And it still took Finn 5 years. Matt Walker didn’t win until he was 21...

Right, basically like Finn did, growing up as a competitive skier. And it still took Finn 5 years. Matt Walker didn’t win until he was 21. Loci and Amaury didn’t win races until their early 20s. Daprela’s first elite season was 2020 so maybe he would’ve won a race if the season were longer, but he didn’t win until the next season.
Anyone come to mind who won in their first elite season, and/or before age 20?

DNE87 wrote:

Minnaar was 20 when he won Kaprun in 2001, I don't believe there's been anyone younger than 20 to win one.

lawn dart wrote:

Is 2022 the first year that Greg Minnaar has not won a World Cup or a World Championship? In a related question: is 2022 the first...

Is 2022 the first year that Greg Minnaar has not won a World Cup or a World Championship?

In a related question: is 2022 the first year that no one over 30 yrs. old has won a World Cup or World Championship?

Now that a 13 year old Canadian looks to be hot for the top spot on the box...who've we got left who's a viable WC contender over 30? Gwinn, Hart...when does Bruni turn?! Norton? Brosnan?

Peaty?

smelly wrote:

I reckon it’ll be a surprise if Jackson Goldstone hits the top of the podium in elites next year. Making top elite times as a junior...

I reckon it’ll be a surprise if Jackson Goldstone hits the top of the podium in elites next year. Making top elite times as a junior is different than making top elite times as an elite. Ask Matt Walker and Finn. The course and pressures are very different. But major props to him if he pulls it off.
Anyway, Bernard Kerr is 32 and could hit the top box. Brosnan is 30 next year and is still Mr Consistency.

lawn dart wrote:

...it will be interesting to see how Goldstone fairs in his first year...obviously, he's showing IMMENSE potential. The two main points I'm getting around: 1. -how...

...it will be interesting to see how Goldstone fairs in his first year...obviously, he's showing IMMENSE potential.

The two main points I'm getting around:

1. -how unusual is someone like Minnaar? He probably amassed a similar number of wins in his 30s as in his 20s, right?! But no one else has been able to race at that top level--much less win--like he has in their 30s. Not to name names, but Gee, Brooke, Cedric, ...even Gwinn, results just drop-off (though they are still ridiculously fast) once they are bedded-into their 30s, right? Personally, I'd never count ANYONE who's managed a top 5 finish in a WC from potentially winning one, but all other things being equal, youth appears to strongly favor the sport as it evolves.

2. -how unusual is Jackson Gladstone? Is the thinking that since this kid basically grew up as a downhiller--starting WAY earlier than most of his competitors, that those early years (I'm thinking of someone who's been visually and physically adapted to riding over obstacles from like 3-4 yrs old) are the key difference. In other words, going forward, if you're not training neurons to downhill from basically your diaper days forward, if you pick up riding say, in your teens, are you ever going to be able to train your mind and body to do this sport on his level? I think that a lot of other sports, historically, have approached this question--gymnasts, for instance, are frequently trained from kindergarten (or earlier) forward.

Rol wrote:

If Goldstone is lucky enough to not get hurt seriously in the next few years he, at some point, will be unbeateble. And Jordan will make...

If Goldstone is lucky enough to not get hurt seriously in the next few years he, at some point, will be unbeateble. And Jordan will make him work hard for his money. Both are already incredibble riders. But still, Bruni, Amaury and some other fast guns will be up to it and be very fast as well. I am full of excitement for the next years.

But I hope that all the new associations will make it safer. I really want to see races with everyone riding. There were to many injuries in recent years. Maybe armor protecfion should be mandatory. It does not look cool on photos but does such an efficient work when needed. And if everyone is wearing them it is ok.