Just like you don't expect to see a figure skating champion emerge from an upbringing in the Sahara Desert or a golf star grow up in the Antarctic, it's mind-boggling to consider that one of the world's best snowboarders and a favourite for a gold medal or two in Sochi, Russia next February, is a teenager from the flatlands of Regina, Sask.
Mark McMorris, 19, known as a superstar in the snowboarding world, is still probably the second-best-known member of his family in Saskatchewan, because his father is Don McMorris, an elected member of the Legislature since 1999 and a member of Brad Wall's government caucus as Highways Minister.
How big a star has Mark become? A few weeks ago, the venerable New York Times ran a 2,800-word feature on him, headlining the story, 'Like a Hurricane in the Air' Mark McMorris, Olympic Snowboarding Gold Contender.
The Wayne Gretzky of snowboarding, of course, is multi-gold medallist Shaun White, the shaggy red-haired American who makes millions every year endorsing a multitude of products. But while McMorris might be the 'air' apparent, he says White might not be his most significant competition. "There are so many good guys," he told the Times.
The newspaper says McMorris, who started out on a skateboard before moving to snowboards and wakeboards, is proud of his flatland roots. "Forced to make their own mountains, in a city where the largest inclines are freeway exit ramps, McMorris and his older brother, Craig, would shovel snow from nearby parking lots into a pickup truck, and then unload it into the yard," the Times story said. "They built mounds to give themselves downhill momentum for aerial tricks off whatever they could find scattered in the snow - patio furniture, old tires, the mailbox."
The McMorris legend was certified at the 2012 X Games, when he landed the first competitive triple cork. So what's that? The Times article described it as "essentially, three flips and four 360-degree rotations."
While most Canadian sports fans will be living and dying with the fortunes of Canada's Olympic hockey team, Saskatchewanians will be eagerly awaiting McMorris's competitions at Sochi. "A lot of people consider me a gold medal favourite," McMorris told the Times. "You want to fulfill those expectations."
Scott Ostler of the San Francisco Chronicle, taking issue with Sen. John McCain criticizing the Los Angeles Dodgers for frolicking in the Arizona Diamondbacks outfield pool after clinching the N.L West pennant: "In his spare time, McCain hangs out at the senior centre, berating winners who yell 'BINGO!' with too much enthusiasm."
Ostler again: "The NFL tabbed Bruno Mars to do halftime at the Super Bowl. This will satisfy the millions of NFL fans who are eager to find out who Bruno Mars is."
Bob Molinaro of the Hampton Roads Virginia Pilot: "The desperate Jacksonville Jaguars sold tickets to their Sunday game against the Colts that included coupons for two free beers. If the Jags need a catchy name for their promotion, might I suggest: 'Suds for Duds'?"
Headline at Fark.com, on NFL ticket-buyers in Jacksonville, Fla., getting offered a free beer for every one they buy: "Jaguars realize people have to be drunk to watch their games."
Cam Hutchinson of the Saskatoon Express: "A judge has ruled that a Tennessee couple can name their child Messiah. The judge first rejected the couple's request to name their child Brian Burke."
Brad Dickson of the Omaha World-Herald: "Joe Buck is engaged to Michelle Beisner of the NFL Network. The couple plans a small, intimate wedding in front of a handful of witnesses. It will air on the NFL Network in prime-time."
Dickson again: "The Pittsburgh Pirates clinched a playoff berth for the first time in 21 years. I'd like to caution players and fans in Pittsburgh not to get cocky and expect to make it every 21 years."
RJ Currie of sportsdeke.com: "The Astros are on pace to have the most profitable season in baseball history. I've watched Houston play; I guess crime really does pay."
Comedy writer Jim Barach: "Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig says he will retire at the end of the 2014 season. His tenure gave us Alex Rodriguez, steroids and the 1994 season with no World Series. With a track record like that, his leaving can only mean a run for Congress."
Another one from Barach: "A baseball game between the Houston Astros and the Cleveland Indians came in with a 0.0 Nielsen rating. It's the first time two teams were mathematically eliminated from having an audience."
Another one from Brad Dickson, on Mike Tyson saying he wants to become a promoter to give the sport a boost: "If this ex-con with the facial tattoo who once bit part of the ear off a competitor can't restore the image of boxing, who can?"
Janice Hough of leftcoastsportsbabe.com: "Mariano Rivera, 44, left the mound at Yankee Stadium tonight for the last time. 'A promising career ended so young,' said Jamie Moyer."
