Crazy Days out in Val d'Isere, France at the World Championships of Alpine Skiing...

First, a dark horse immerged from the back of the pack. Naoki Yuasa started 75th and as he came down, the bousterous French announcers were blaring his name out, firing up the crowd that was going crazy as the Japanese racer came down and qualified for the 2nd run. "Yuuuaaaasssaaaaaahhhhhhhh!" the people yelled! Just goes to show, people LOOOOVE the underdog. Way to go Yuasa. Konichiwa for a killer run! Ohhh yeah, and good choice in using Slytech Nervous Shin Guards.

Then Bode Miller, the no-holds-barred American -- always a crowd favorite -- skied with his usual reckless abandon depsirately looking for a medal and promptly skied out 2nd run.

But the biggest stoke moment came when Slytech/ Shred rider TED LIGETY came in 3rd place and collected the bronze! He had a so-so first run, but surprised everyone with a sweet second run that catapulted him to the podium. Congratulations TED! Way to sport those Shred Omnibot 80's Papaya Goggle.

I'm not one to toot my own horn much or overhype things, but when I learned recently that some of the Swiss National Ski Team wear Slytech Nervous Shin Guards as opposed to the LEKI guards that their team is sponsored by, I just had to share it with you.

So, we're all hangin' at the World Championships of Alpine Skiing in Val d'Isere, France checking the action out when a friend leaned over to me and said: "you see Zurbriggen there? Recognize those shin guards?"

I zoomed my 400mm camera on him and couldn't believe my eyes. He had SLYTECH NERVOUS GUARDS on with a LEKI STICKER!

Now, that's a guy who knows what gear he likes. He also needs to keep his sponsor happy, so he slaps a sticker on them.

Actions speak louder than words, I guess.