FAME- Born Talent, or Right place Right time

[Freehand]

I've got a topic I think some of you might be interested in, and hopefully you'll Chime in on it.Today a co worker and I got started on the subject of famous riders and why they're famous, now obviously they're awesome riders which is why most of them are where they are. But Were they born with the natural talent, or did they just work themselves up to being good riders and just happend to be at the right place at the right time to get discoverd?

His argument: He says that most all the riders that are riding in films and riding motocross and snowcross professionaly were born with the natural talent to do so and that there are people out there who don't physically or mental have what it takes to be these people.He also states that the people who are in these roles got that way because they are indeed the best in the world or whatever.

My argument: I say that indeed there are people out there that are physicaly and mentaly more capable of being top riders. However I dont believe that it's a born talent, I think that anyone who is an athletic person, givin the time and Budget could excel to be a top rider. Now that's not to say it doesn't take natural skill. Also I believe that there is alot of riders out there that could match or possibly exceed the skills of the top riders, but that they simply don't " know the right people", or have not yet been discoverd, and possibly they never will. What do you think o and this isn't to try and take away from the great riders out there, it's just a thought

 

[Cowbell]

I'm gonna agree with you only because I'm one of those riders who hasn't been discovered yet.

 

[jhurkot]

like with any sport i think some people are naturally talented, some people are hard workers, and the very best are both.

 

[enis750]

i think budget has some to do with it
right place right time..how about living close to say the mountains
or having mom and pop have a 2nd home/vac property to crash at for free

having the buget to go west more often than not

lets be honest, sledding isnt friggen cheap

talent has to play a part in it........
that wil be your difference in say your chris burandts, cody borchers, etc...

neat topic though...

 

[polarisfornow]

I think its like what you said. It takes a person with a certain skill set, hand eye coordination, body control, and with the time put into it they become great. But practice is a big part of it too. I used to be a pretty decent moto-x racer but i haven't ridden in about 3 years now and i guarantee if i got onto a bike i wouldn't be half as fast as i was 5 or 6 years ago.

so IMO skill set + practice = great rider

 

[summitchaser]

I think there is a lot of who you know as well. In high school I went to school with 3 brothers that were all capable of playing division 1 football. we got no exposure as a school so they got no looks. The most talented brother played at a ok D2. This brother had the body and skills for pro ball, he is 6'3 240 and has a 4.4 40 time, jump out the gym and strong as he!!

I think if your talented and sell market yourself right you can go far

 

[0007]

Here's a concept for ya
Maybe the best snowmobiler in the world doesn't ride snowmobiles
Who would Bubba Stewart be if Dad never put him on a dirt bike
I think everyone is good at something, Like me, I'm a truly awesome tetris player (278 lines)
Kinda pizzes me off to be good at something stoooopid!!!

 

[Squeal]

It is definitely easier for some people than others

 

[phatty]

I think it takes a certain amount of born talent. Being professional at anything takes mental focus and an internal drive that a lot of people just don't have. But I also know it takes a lot of dedication, practice, and pushing yourself way beyond your limits. Thats how you grow. You get hurt, you wreck sleds, you don't give up, and you push forward.

That being said, being in the right place and the right time never hurts.

As professionals, we always feel pressure to do better, be better, and know that if we don't, then we will have to step aside. We are always looking for new talent, and are keenly aware that there are MANY MANY people who are just as good IF NOT BETTER than we are. Sometimes its just a matter of getting discovered.

If you want something bad enough, you will do anything to get it. It starts by believing that you can and will achieve the goal.

 

[shane 711]

You have to have some natural talent but you also need to have alot of support behind you. Money is a must have but you also need people pushing you telling you that you can compete at that level when your ready to give up. I know quite a few riders that had the money behind them not talkind dad had a trailer and sled kinda money either talking going to the races in a semi money and for whatever reason it didnt workout for them.

Location is also a huge deal for snox the best place is on the snow obviously and closer to the factory the better. Also if you have friends that are also racing can be a huge help with improving your speed. Training with someone your caliber or a little faster can make you push yourself to get faster. So i guess i think its a combination of natural talent, money, location and mainly the amount of work your willing to put into it.

 

[Wheel House Motorsports]

in sledding. it whose got a few more screws loose... sorta

it takes a person in dang good physical shape to ride hard and put down tech lines all day... take chris burandt, he's not to big compared to 75% of the people on this site, and we can seem to get our sleds to turn good?

naturaly talent is present at anything, but beeing pushed to try new things is the only way to get better, evertime i ride, i want to learn something new, try a new line, carve a little better, go between closer trees, whatever.

begining of last year i saw a guy come down a steep bowl on some harder snow. he layed his sled over and spun that thing around and started going back up. from that point in the ride i spent all my time dedicated to trying that move, until i got it, then i started trying it inbetween trees, and anywhere i could throw it down, and that sled control i learned allowed me to ride at a higher level.

some days when i go out riding, me and my buddies have mini competitions to try and out ride one another, basically competting in a game of who can make the best line... sidehill thru the trees, cut up, sidehill, go down carve, sidehill thru the trees, you get the idea... doing things like this are what push me to get better everytime i ride, cuz i dont like to be the idiot who can keep up all the time..... i wanna go ride.

 

[JHG]

Lots of talent out there, lots of natural ability and lots of stuff perfected through practice. A friend of mine is a Pro Wakeboarder, we started riding together when we were younger. I remember when he first got on a board and it took half a day pulling him before he stood up the first time. I started the same day and got up the second time. He is now a MUCH better rider than I am but probably only because of practice, exposure to the sport(owns a boat and lives on a lake), and desire to be the best. I love to wakeboard but only on the weekends, if I did it everyday I would get burned out. He rides all most everyday and moved to Florida for better weather. For him dedication superseded talent. Not everyone that can be a pro wants to be a pro or has the desire to dedicate themselves to be a professional.

My girlfriend on the other hand is horrible and all sports, snowmobiling and wakeboarding are no exception, I'm convinced that no amount of practice at anything athletic could make her even close to being considered good, let alone a pro. So I guess my answer is: it takes a little bit of everything.

 

[LeeDoo]

Some guys are great from the minute they get on a sled. It just flows for some people. And I think we're gonna see a lot better riding in the coming years... a lot of the riding today wasn't even possible with the sleds of 10 years ago. Technology still hasn't surpassed the skill of our riders.

 

[2001rmk700]

i think it is right place right time.
if your parents can support you at a young age with half way decent sled and are able to take you out fairly often you will be better then someone who has never rode before. but i dont think if you are born with a talent you can jump on a sled and be just as good as some one who has rode for 10 or 20 years.
just my 0.02 cents

 

[justadude]

hahahaha thats funny!!!

I good at farting!!!

Here's a concept for ya
Maybe the best snowmobiler in the world doesn't ride snowmobiles
Who would Bubba Stewart be if Dad never put him on a dirt bike
I think everyone is good at something, Like me, I'm a truly awesome tetris player (278 lines)
Kinda pizzes me off to be good at something stoooopid!!!

 

[justadude]

I've met people like you discribed not saying this about your freinds, but all he physicallity in the world doesn't make football player. It surely helps but there is more to it.

I think there is a lot of who you know as well. In high school I went to school with 3 brothers that were all capable of playing division 1 football. we got no exposure as a school so they got no looks. The most talented brother played at a ok D2. This brother had the body and skills for pro ball, he is 6'3 240 and has a 4.4 40 time, jump out the gym and strong as he!!

I think if your talented and sell market yourself right you can go far

 

[LeeDoo]

...all the physicallity in the world doesn't make football player. It surely helps but there is more to it.

My brother played last year... he was still elegible to play as a HS senior this year but chose not to. He's a big kid, but said he lacked two important characteristics: A really mean personality and a brain smaller than a walnut.

Flame suit on boys...

 

[jlowe]

lots of guys in this sport have gotten to the top in different ways. all are born with good basic athletic skills and then find thier own way to the sport. also, some guys just have the 'feel' of a snowmobile down and how it interacts with the snow and the terrain. of all the 'top' riders i know personally, they all have one thing in common. desire. they push themselves to do things beyond their comfort zone ALL THE TIME. its the only way you can grow. but keep this in mind...when you say 'top' rider you're referring to a well-know rider in the context that he/she is featured in films and magazines. that part of the deal is a lot of luck and/or a good sense of self-marketing.

but there are many more 'top' riders out there that haven't been discovered and some of the best i've seen would like to keep it that way.

jeff

 

[Tumblina]

What about the Fear Factor???

I think getting over the "unknown" is probably what many talented people have in common.

 

[hilinerider]

personally its all about the drive, if you want to do something and do it well and have fun doing it, you will make it happen, hell or high water, don't let it keep you from doin what you love, know matter what it is, if its sleds,bike,cars,football, etc.