This thread is full of people who lacks the ability to look beyond their own little perspective. Fact is, not everyone handles things the same way you do. Why would you compare Simon to Andreas? They are two very different individuals, with a very different background, and a very different approach to things. Why is the one approach better than the other?
With regards to the public icon/role model issue, I don't see the big deal? Simon's identity and image as a skier is that of a very focused, competitive person with a passion that sometimes overflows into anger/disappointment. His behaviour after his first run falls quite nicely into that, and to be honest I think the public will love him more for it. It seems that, especially in America, the passion and determination that Simon exudes, including temper tantrums, is perceived as someone who is willing to go all the way to secure the win. If that is not an American value, then I don't know what is.
Stop thinking that in order to be a role model or a representative of a company, everything has to be so clean cut about you. It doesn't. Simon showed his competitive nature, and at the end of the day he was basically being honest. The public and his sponsors recognise that, and will, as I said, love him that much more for it. I don't get some people on here's desire to have everything aligned with their beliefs and values, wouldn't it be boring if everyone acted the way you wanted them to? You would certainly loose a valuable source of thread material, and heaven forbid that!