The Santa Fe Ski Team may not be the baddest dog on the block, but over the years it has produced at least one World Cup racer, and today has one of the more unique coaches in skiing and a dedicated body of skiers, assistant coaches and parents. Last week we painted some of this picture; this week we complete our profile of the Ski Team Different.

Winning is great, yes? Certainly, says Hubert Seigmann, the iconoclastic head coach of the Santa Fe squad, but it is hardly everything. "Around here, we don't say we race against anybody; we race with everybody," he explains. "Many times the parents are too competitive and it doesn't work. They have to practice unconditional love. What we really train is the five inches between the ears, and with that, the kids can take on the world and become successful in anything."

Seigmann, who hails from Austria, marches to his own beat but he does have a firm grasp on his principals-for life and ski racing. He notes, "First off, attitude is everything. If your nose is pointed down, like a plane, that's where you are headed. Many skiers are also too far back and inside the turn — you must come forward and outside — nose over the downhill ski! It's not about talent or strength — which are so overrated. It's really about consistency and persistency. Total love and vision drives out all fear and doubt. I focus on growing self-image."

It's a message that seems to resonate with his charges. "It would be cool to become a top racer, but meanwhile, I'm having a lot of fun with the team," notes Scott Laur, 9, who is in his second year with the program. Adds Ozzy Sembrat, also 9, "I've learned how to ski really well; at Durango a few weeks ago I finished tenth out of forty or so racers. And, I like being around the teammates and traveling." Lucas Schlenzig, 11, pipes up, "My dad taught me all these skills but it was amazing how much I learned and how much faster I got."

The enthusiasm seems to run just as high among the older racers. "I've been in the program since I was seven," says Clayton Runer, 17, who competes in GS now and hopes to work up to downhill this year. David Andres, 19, has been in the program since he was 15. "I like being able to ski fast and not having to worry about hitting anyone or getting my ticket pulled," he explains.

The coaching staff is composed of six coaches, in addition to Seigmann, such as Cory Kirkpatrick, 32. "I grew up here skiing, on the Adventure Team — not the race team — but as I got older I found I love imparting my ski knowledge with the kids — from bumps, gates and groomers to skiing in the trees. Everyone has different issues but, in general, we really need to work on our carving and leaning out over the snow — trusting that edge. Everyone has speed limits but we work on raising that bar."

Parents are also a major part of the success of the program. Moritz Schlenzig, Lucas' father, notes, "There is a fair amount of commitment required: the travel, making sure they are here every weekend, getting them equipped. But we are fortunate that we live here, that we have such a wonderful coach in Hubert and this great mountain. If Lucas has the talent to make it all the way, that's great. But if not, that's great, too. You can't really go wrong."

Paul Laur is another of the committed core of parents with the program. He sits on the ski team board, pitches in with fundraising, and last summer helped build the new racing start house. "We volunteer a lot of time but it all comes back in spades with the good will that is generated through helping these young folks excel," he says.

He also points out that the program offers need-based scholarships. "On the road we share accommodations, big spaghetti dinners and rides. Santa Fe Mountain Sports and Ski Santa Fe give discounts on equipment and passes to team members. Athletes and parents get discounted passes for races on other mountains.

According to Seigmann, things have gotten off to a great start in his first season and he is even more excited about what lies ahead. "This year we are building our foundation with a good locals program. Next year we will add the Southwest Team, and then the World Wide Ski Team. We're doing some things with e-commerce, making wealthy ski racers — no more broke skiers! We're working with Bodie Miller, who will come out next winter and help get the Southwest Team off the ground, and with George Brooks (director of Ski New Mexico) and the UNM ski team. I have big dreams!"

Why? Because success is infectious, he explains. "The war in Croatia was devastating; I saw it. When Janica Kostelic (a Croatian ski racer who won three gold medals at the 2002 Winter Olympics) won, she lifted a whole country up — it was the greatest thing to see! And we will do it again and again and again. When the cup runs over, it changes everybody around you — it's not just about a person on a podium."

Daniel Gibson can be reached at dbghibson@newmexico.com.