Blame it on leftover caveman chromosomes but three months after the 2007 MotoGP season ended, I’m not sure what I miss most, the racing or those angels in spandex who bring cooling shade to riders on the starting grid, the umbrella girls.
No small matter, shielding a hyped-up racer swaddled in leather and plastic armor from the direct rays of a midday sun. Factor in the flop sweat involved when you’re about to do 200-mph battle with Stoner and Rossi, et al, before a TV audience that numbers in the multimillions, and holding that umbrella becomes an essential task.
And let’s be frank, it ain’t a job any red-blooded male covets, is it? Not exactly alpha behavior.
Speaking of jobs, turns out that “motorsports modeling,” to use the PC terminology, is actually very big business. In this country alone, UmbrellaGirls USA, an agency founded in 2001 by litigation lawyer and motorcycle enthusiast Ann Asiano, employs 250 models—some of whom never even touch an umbrella.
“The girls work as hospitality hostesses at trade shows or conventions, at open houses and dealer openings, as trophy girls, grid girls or umbrella girls at racing events, as hostesses at golf tournaments, award banquets and other charity events, and are seen nationwide in ad campaigns for any number of products, goods and services.”
See, umbrella girl, it’s not just a job, it’s an adventure.
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