This Austrian coaster reminds me of the Alpine Slide at Lutsen Ski Resort in northern Minnesota, on the north shore of Lake Superior, which I’ve run with no brakes (and fully on the wheels), when it first opened in 1977.

This Mieders coaster must be a total gas, being in a whole other speed category and much longer, but all you do is hold on (probably good to lean into the turns though too). Whereas, Lutsen’s Alpine Slide (more like a bobsled track with banks) was a real rush too, because it required anticipatory leaning into the turns by the correct amount, and especially at the right time in order to hit the banks just right and to avoid the danger of flying off of the sled, when running fully on the wheels, not using the brakes at all or the plastic sliders.

And as you can see in the video, Lutsen can only be run wide open when it’s not busy. You can see how fast slower riders are approached — when the fun is cut from maximum to “bummer.”

Though it’s been 34 years, it’s possible Lutsen’s Alpine Slide hasn’t been changed at all, as it was very solidly built.

I can remember parts of the ride like it was yesterday. We’ve been blessed!

jeff : )

– –

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqCkICXWdWI]Mieders Alpine Coaster (with no brakes!!)

Uploaded by davidjellis on Nov 19, 2011

This is a single-pipe alpine coaster in Mieders, Austria. You reach the summit via a cablecar and then sit on a small car with a brake lever and off you go. Having ridden it once using a little braking, I decided to try it a second time without using the brakes. This is SCARY! Enjoy the ride!
Off-ride footage here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA-k3G1F7k0
Note – for websites linking the video, please note that my name is David Ellis (the J is my middle initial).

* * *

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABWqAn5stpM]Lutsen Alpine Slide

Uploaded by tundratom on Aug 19, 2006

A run down the Alpine Slide at Lutsen Ski area, North Shore of Lake Superior, Minnesota

Secretariat is at least right now my favorite movie. I don’t think I’ve ever made so much noise — and cried so much — during a movie.

Maybe it’s the times we are in too. This is a movie for these times! May we do our best, like Penny!

Jeff : )

_ _

HERE IS TO ALL OF US
HOLDING OUR HEADS HIGH,
DOING WHAT’S RIGHT NO MATTER WHAT,
TO WIN!!!

* * *

* * *

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKmuvjL2cVw

Secretariat Trailer

This powerful and thrilling journey of the 1973 Triple Crown winner and its owner Penny Chenery, played by Academy Award® and Golden Globe nominee Diane Lane, brings hope, heart and courage to audiences of all ages…
.

Diane Lane & Randall Wallace Interview – The Secretariat

Uploaded by ReelReactions on Oct 14, 2010 Reel Reactions got a chance to sit down with Diane Lane and Randall Wallace from the Secretariat. Diane Lane plays the lead character, Penny Chenery, and Randall Wallace directed this inspirational masterpiece.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AV0DqAYdfJ0

Secretariats last race – Victory for the greatest horse in modern times

Uploaded by ESPN on Oct 6, 2010

[Secretariat] was an American Thoroughbred racehorse, who in 1973 became the first U.S. Triple Crown champion in twenty-five years, setting new race records in two of the three events in the Series—the Kentucky Derby (1:59 2/5), and the Belmont Stakes (2:24)—records that still stand today.

Secretariat was sired by Bold Ruler (a grandson of Nearco) and foaled to Somethingroyal. He was foaled at Meadow Farm in Caroline County, Virginia. Like the equally famous horse Man o’ War, Secretariat was a large chestnut colt and was given the same nickname, “Big Red.”

Owned by Penny Chenery (aka Penny Tweedy), he was trained by Lucien Laurin and mainly ridden by fellow Canadian jockey Ron Turcotte, along with apprentice jockey Paul Feliciano (first two races), and veteran Eddie Maple (last race). He raced in Penny Chenery’s Meadow Stable’s blue and white checkered colors and his groom was Eddie Sweat.

The story of Secretariat began with the toss of a coin in 1968 between Christopher Chenery of Meadow Stables and Ogden Phipps of Wheatley Stable. The idea of a coin toss came from Phipps, the owner of Bold Ruler, and Bull Hancock of Claiborne Farms as a way to get the very best mares for Bold Ruler, and when the toss went their way, to add well-bred fillies to their own broodmare band. Bold Ruler was considered one of the important stallions of his time. He had a fine balance between speed and stamina, having had a frontrunning style but the stamina to go 1 1/4 miles; he finished 3rd in the 1957 Kentucky Derby. After his racing career, Bold Ruler was retired to Claiborne Farms but still was controlled by the Phipps family. This meant he would be bred to mainly Phipps’ mares and not many of his offspring would find their way to the auction ring. Phipps and Hancock agreed to forgo a stud fee for Bold Ruler in exchange for getting to keep one of two foals produced by the mare he bred in successive seasons or two mares he bred in the same season. Who obtained which foal or even received first pick would be decided by a flip of a coin.

In 1968, Chenery sent two mares named Hasty Matelda and Somethingroyal to Bold Ruler, and in 1969, a colt and filly were the result. In 1969, Hasty Matelda was replaced by Cicada, but she did not conceive. Only one foal resulted between Bold Ruler and Somethingroyal. As stated in the original agreement, the winner of the coin toss could pick the foal he wanted but could only take one, while the loser would get the other two. Both parties assumed Somethingroyal would deliver a healthy foal in the spring of 1970. The coin toss between Penny Chenery and Ogden Phipps was held in the fall of 1969 in the office of New York Racing Association Chairman Alfred Vanderbilt II, with Hancock as witness. Phipps won the toss and took the weanling filly out of Somethingroyal, leaving Chenery with the colt out of Hasty Matelda and the unborn foal of Somethingroyal.

On March 30, at 12:10 a.m., Somethingroyal foaled a bright red chestnut colt with three white socks and a star with a narrow blaze. By the time the colt was a yearling, he was still unnamed. Meadow Stables’ secretary, Elizabeth Ham, had submitted 10 names to the Jockey Club, all of which were denied for various reasons. Approval finally came with the 11th submission, a name Ham herself picked from a previous career association, Secretariat.

Secretariat’s owner entered into a syndication deal that precluded the horse racing past age three. Accordingly, Secretariat’s last race was against older horses in the Canadian International Stakes at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Canada. It was the second time in his career that he raced on grass and the first time he was asked to go one and five-eighths miles (just a furlong further than he’d already run twice that year). Secretariat won with another impressive performance. With Ron Turcotte out with a five-day suspension, Eddie Maple rode Secretariat to victory by 6 1/2 lengths.

Altogether, Secretariat won 16 of his 21 career races, with three seconds and one third, for in-the-money finishes in 20 of 21 starts, and total earnings of $1,316,808.

At age three, Secretariat was again named Horse of the Year, as well as winning Eclipse Awards as the American Champion Three-Year-Old Male Horse and the American Champion Male Turf Horse.
.

Secretariat’s last footage.

Uploaded by Dobber1234 on Feb 1, 2011

My brother Bill was driving by the farm where Secretariat was living. He shot some video which turned out to be some of the last video taken of this special horse. This was a day or two before Secretariat was put down. The TV station Bill worked for turned the footage into a wonderful story.
.

Penny Chenery in real life;
Penny Chenery on the screen, Diane Lane;
&
Director Randall Wallace

Secretariat Press Conference May 1, 2010 Part 1

Uploaded by EHIdolVideo on May 1, 2010

At Churchill Downs promoting the upcoming film. …

.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X39ZCaiAO2M

Uploaded by darkislandfilms on Oct 9, 2010

Secretariat (Original Motion Picture Score), Music Composed by Nick Glennie-Smith.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l79bLUObGWA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yc8GgxC-EU

* * *

I watched the movie “Secretariat” last night. WoW!!!!!!!

I watched the movie “Secretariat” last night. WoW, am I encouraged!!!!!!!

This true story isn’t mainly about a great horse. It’s about a great, “stubborn” woman who wouldn’t give up despite all of the naysayers.

I wasn’t familiar with the lead actress, but Diane Lane is ABSOLUTELY INSPIRING in this nearly perfect movie that I could recommend to everyone in that it’s also clean — which is why Lane wouldn’t get the Oscar she deserved. It also has a disqualifying gospel song.

I had a feeling it would be good, because ‘Secretariat’ was directed by Randall *Wallace*, who wrote the screenplay for one of my all-time favorite movies, ‘Braveheart,’ the story of Scottish freedom-fighter, William *Wallace* (Randall believes they’re probably related).

If you need encouragement to pursue EXCELLENCE no matter the odds, and no matter what might now lie ahead …

* * *

God bless!

I just posted this on my Facebook page, which I’m finally getting going.

– –

I watched the movie “Secretariat” last night. WoW, am I encouraged!!!!!!!

This true story isn’t mainly about a great horse. It’s about a great, “stubborn” woman who wouldn’t give up despite all of the naysayers.

I wasn’t familiar with the lead actress, but Diane Lane is ABSOLUTELY INSPIRING in this nearly perfect movie that I could recommend to everyone in that it’s also clean — which is why Lane wouldn’t get the Oscar she deserved. It also has a disqualifying gospel song.

I had a feeling it would be good, because ‘Secretariat’ was directed by Randall *Wallace*, who wrote the screenplay for one of my all-time favorite movies, ‘Braveheart,’ the story of Scottish freedom-fighter, William *Wallace* (Randall believes they’re probably related).

If you need encouragement to pursue EXCELLENCE no matter the odds, and no matter what might now lie ahead …

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKmuvjL2cVw