Before Lindsey Vonn, Picabo Street held the record for more World Cup wins and Olympic medal that any American skier, male or female. She also was Lindsey Vonn's idol. So, it's more than fitting that Vonn produced and co-directed the definitive documentary about Picabo's life.
Picabo Street began her life as one of eleven children born to a family of modest means in rural Idaho. From a young age she showed the natural talent, fire and competitive spirit that would take to the top of Podiums across the skiing world. Filled with terrific TV footage of her triumphs and disasters, in the course of her career Street tore every ligament in her knees and broke all major bones in her body. The grit and sacrifice it took to come back from each injury are just as impressive as her racing victories.
The documentary pulls no punches and deals with the dysfunction and domestic abuse in Street's family. Street's father who was her greatest booster and support was also a physically abusive alcoholic, diabetic who would often get violent with his wife and children, behavior that culminated in Street's arrest for domestic abuse by dumb, overzealous cops, when in fear for her own safety, she defended herself and her children from her raging father
But "Picabo" really shines in the scenes where she and Vonn share their experiences that only two champions like these two elite athletes have in common. This is rarified air. That, and the footage of them free skiing together, swooping down the mountain without the pressure of competition are pure joy.
