Surfing Style Police

Style, on skis or a surfboard, is, of course, a slippery slope. So, I’m going out on a limb here talking about athletes and their subjective styles. (How’s that for mixed-metaphor writing style?)

Banking Toward the Valley

I don’t know why, but the Tour de France makes me fantasize about skiing.

It doesn’t make sense. As I write, Cadel Evans is no doubt sitting up in the saddle sipping champagne as he wafts down the Champs-Élysées, the nominative winner. The Tour is coming to its ceremonial close in Paris, the overall finish order having been determined at yesterday’s time trial in which Australian Evans surpassed his rival from Luxemburg, Andy Schleck, and claimed the yellow jersey.

Back on the Bike Again

It’s so good to be back on the bike again. Breathing hard. Dripping sweat onto the top tube. Seeing the world come up and go by in a blur utterly unlike either walking or driving.

Schön, The Beautiful Game

(Well, Paul the prognosticating octopus picked Spain to defeat Germany in their semifinal, and he was right. Again! As he has been predicting every Mannshaft match in this World Cup. So, take the following with a grain of. . . sauerkraut.)

I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that Germany will win the FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

How Grandparents Get Their Names

“How could any woman think Tiger Woods is sexy?” Ellen barked at the television on Father’s Day, which also happened to be the day of final round play at the U.S. Open.

Like Drama Follows Them

In light of Serena Willliams’ profane meltdown at the U.S. Open last weekend, I offer the following, originally published in The Watch newspaper, June 11, 2009.

If tennis were a game of manners—I know, that part of the game vanished ages ago, even before John McEnroe made television lip reading fun—but if it were still a game of polite sportsmanship, Serena Williams would have been ousted for her verbal performance in the third round of the French Open last week.