I retired like most athletes-tired and bitter, glad for the experience yet wishing I had done more. That first fall, not going to the glaciers or to torturous dryland training camps, and suddenly spending my time sitting in a classroom, I found myself with plenty of time to reflect. So when Gary Black, publisher of Ski Racing, suggested I write an article about my new perspective I jumped at the opportunity, and a few hours later Racer-eX was born.

Anyone born in the Sixties, like myself no doubt remembers the Japanese animated cartoon Speed Racer, and the mysterious masked man, Racer X. Other than having dressed embarrassingly like him for competition I have little connection to that Racer X. The overwhelming response from Racers eX to that first article, however, proved I had connected with a thriving community of athletes and struck a vein of rich material. Racer eX became a regular column in Ski Racing and provided an avenue to both communicate to and stay connected to the sport in a meaningful way.

Racer eX is my pen name, and an identity I share with every athlete who has dedicated himself or herself completely to be the best at anything. It is for parents whose kids are embarking on such a path and for coaches who are guiding the process. It is for anyone who knows, or needs to know the good bad and ugly of sport.

Here you can check out the inaugural racer ex, as well as a few from the SKI archives. Check out what other exers are doing and connect with ones you miss. As we build the site we hope to add features to support the racer ex community.