We call them “Mikaela turns.” A bent ski drawing an arced curve in peeling snow, a completed turn across the fall line, a clean early edge initiating the next carve in the opposite direction. We call them “Mikaela turns” because she does it better than anyone.
Serena is a top three tennis player ever. Period. I just read Wright Thompson’s brilliantly paced comprehensive profile on Caitlin Clarke, the best collegiate athlete in the country. Jamie Anderson’s joy on snow is celebrated in my house of boys. I’d give anything to have a modicum of mountain bike skill that Casey Brown oozes from every pore.
There’s a chance that a poster of Mikaela Shiffrin blasting a turn could adorn Duke’s bedroom wall or a signed photo of Caitlin Clark lofting a wet jumper through the net is thumbtacked to Boone’s bulletin board or both of my sons suit up for a basketball game rocking Sabrina Ionesco’s shoes because each is the best skier, hooper and sneaker in the world, respectively—regardless of gender.
There’s a sticker on our fridge that’s become a mantra in our house full of boys: SKI LIKE A GIRL.
I’m here for it.