by Reg Seeton
After making its debut on NBC to kick off programming
for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, the
new Brett Morgan directed Audi documentary Truth
in Motion: The U.S. Ski Team's Road to Vancouver
is now available as a free download at iTunes
ahead of the many re-airings before the Winter
Olympic Games get underway. Chronicling the road
to Winter Olympic glory of the men's and women's
U.S. Olympic ski teams, Truth in Motion embodies
the hope, heartache, passion, sacrifice, guts,
determination, perseverance, and competitive spirit
of athletes in true motion on the slopes as they
prepare to realize their dreams.
Although the road to the 2010 Winter Olympics for the U.S. ski team may appear to be all about performance on the slopes, Truth in Motion is a shining example of just how close the margin of victory is just to make it on the team. For some it's more about raw talent and natural ability while for other skiers it's about Rocky Balboa type grit, heart, and determination to overcome obstacles that, in a fraction of a second, could wipe out a lifetime of hard work and sacrifice. As the U.S. Winter Olympic ski team prepares to hit the slopes in Vancouver to vie for Olympic gold, Truth in Motion is the perfect experience to begin your own Winter Olympic journey since it effectively captures the essence of the Olympic spirit from the athlete side of the podium.
Beginning with the horrific 2008 crash of U.S. skier Scott MacCartney in Kitzbuehel, Austria, Truth in Motion transitions to the men's training facility in Portillo, California where such U.S. skiers as Ted Ligety, Tommy Ford, and Jake Zamansky all at different stages of the 2010 Olympic journey. Although we get an inside look at Ligety's road to Vancouver as he competes for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team, which is almost sure bet after winning a gold medal in the Combined in Torino in 2006 and the World Cup Giant Slalom in 2008, the heart of Truth in Motion on the men's side is the story of Jake Zamansky.
While Ted Ligety and Tommy Ford are odds on locks for Team U.S.A., Zamansky has to battle for a spot while staring at the possibility of retirement and an unfulfilled dream if he doesn't qualify for the World Cup . With four spots left to be filled against guys who scored in the GS, the chances are slim for Zamansky to make the team. For Jake Zamansky, simply getting a shot to qualify is as big of a challenge as trying to make Team U.S.A.
Truth in Motion soon catches up to the women's U.S. Olympic Ski Team in Saas Fe, Switzerland ahead of World Cup qualifying where Resi Stiegler works on strength to conditioning while finding her desire after recovering from injury. Returning to the slopes two years after an injury while also being a mother, Sarah Schleper finds herself working to overcome the mental obstacles to find the winning spirit. Although each of the women have their own individual battles, champions Lindsey Vonn and Julia Mancuso provide leadership and help to team mates as the girls get ready for the show time of the World Cup. Much like Jake Zamansky, Sarah Schleper's journey takes center stage in Truth in Motion to show a different side the ingredients needed to perform beyond your limits.
Featuring Warren Miller style cinematography, with high octane, heart pumping slope sequences amid breathtaking mountain backdrops, Truth in Motion: U.S. Ski Team's Road to Vancouver transcends the sport to serve as an inspirational example of the tenacity of the human spirit. With the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver now only days away, Truth in Motion is a must watch doc that connects fans with the personal stories of the athletes that represent the nation. Another great aspect of Truth in Motion, you don't have to know how to ski to appreciate the passion.
Re-airings of Truth in Motion: The U.S. Ski Team's Road to Vancouver:
USA Network: February 6, 5-6pm
Universal Sports: Sunday January 31, 10-11pm
Monday February 8, 8-9pm
Thursday February 11, 9-10pm
