BOWLES' BLOG:

Lighten up, Hujara, on the iron-fist approach

By Gordie Bowles, S-Media

What a bully.

When FIS race director Guenter Hujara handed Didier Cuche a $5,400 sanction for speaking out against what he considered a dangerous jump on the Olympiabakken course in Kvitfjell, Norway, the ornery German referee fueled the iron-fist perception of the international association.

An emotional Cuche ― who sits on the FIS Athletes Commission ― said he was doing what he thought was his duty, to relay the concerns from a few athletes, himself included, about the jump they deemed dicey.

There’s always two-sides to every story and controversy, and I have to admit that I have not heard Guenter's side of this. However it sounds like Hujara reacted to the situation in a shameful manner that should be unacceptable for the highest-level official on the World Cup circuit.

The Associated Press reported that Cuche telephoned Hujara on Thursday evening to reiterate the concerns of several racers over the potentially dangerous jump at the top of the course. “He wasn't prepared to do anything,” Cuche said. “I told him that if anything happened at that jump, he couldn’t expect me not to say I had told him before the race what could happen.”

That’s when Hujara’s blatant overreaction kicked into high gear.

“He completely flipped out and said I was attacking him and threatening him and I said: ‘No, I'm not, I'm just telling you that if something happens I'm going to say that I told you,’ ” said the defending World Cup downhill champion.

Cuche resigned from the commission on Saturday, arguing it was pointless for him to speak out on behalf of his fellow skiers if the governing body ignored their concerns.

Cuche, meanwhile, took it out his frustrations in the super-G race on Sunday, slaying the field and winning his 17th World Cup race in his illustrious career. The win also took Cuche past the injured Georg Streitberger in the overall super-G statndings.

“This is the first win of my career that I can't enjoy,” the somber 36-year-old said following the race. “I've hardly slept the last few nights and it was really hard to focus.”

Cuche said the events of recent days had made him reconsider his future in the sport. “I'm almost 37, I'm not a kid any more, and if Guenter just wants to scream at me every time I say something then I’m in the wrong place.”

When one of the best ski racers in the world, and a stand-up person like Cuche, make these comments, something is wrong in FIS-land.

My old boss ― the king of one-liners ― has a saying: “Understand, before being understood.” I’ve always taken that one to heart, and I suggest Guenter do the same.

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