Alpine - Val Gardena-Gröden & Courcheval

Not the best of weekends in prospect with a weather system sweeping in and making things very awkward. Despite the best efforts of the various organisers, things didn't go to plan - hope Sunday might be better. So, what did take place?


Val Gardena-Gröden: Super G (Friday) – missed this one live, but a great run (on a course with a lowered start) by Beat Feuz (Swi) who took what looked a sure win away from Bode Miller (USA). Third was Jansrud (Nor), then Aksel Lund Svindal (also Nor) with late starters Max Franz (Aut) and Stephan Keppler (Ger) making up the top six.

Downhill (Sat): Not ideal conditions – the weather system coming again in forced a lower start. The conditions allowed 18 racers down, at which point the French were well in charge with Johan Clarey in the lead from Adrien Theaux, then Switzerland’s Patrick Küng and Eric Guay (Can). Unlucky 18th man down was Didier Cuche who started in gusty conditions with the wind noticeably stronger – the commentators reckon he made no errors but finished over 2 seconds down mainly due to the conditions. The race referee promptly halted proceedings, but Cuche understandably seemed very unhappy that it hadn’t been done sooner! The hold went on for a while and then the race was abandoned – tough on Clarey, but probably the best decision; think this will be rescheduled? Meanwhile Women’s slalom in Courcheval was also cancelled.

On Sunday 18th Courcheval cancelled the women's GS but substituted a rescheduled Slalom; still in very variable weather though! After the first run there was some suggestion that Maria H-R might have damaged her knee and might not do run 2, however .. early leader in run 2 was Lena Dürr who eventually lost her lead to Tina Maze; local French skiers not going to full potential and crowd obviously disappointed. Geiger (Ger) looked all set to take the lead, but a bad mistake only 3 gates from home ruined her day and it was a similar tale for Gagnon (Can) - pity for both of them. Eventually Michaela Kirchgasser (Aut) put in a good run which left her 0.92 seconds in the lead - short lived however as Kathrin Zettel (Aut) built on her first run advantage to go 0.49 secs up. She, in turn, was displaced by Tanja Poutiainen (Fin). Still a chance they wouldn't be on the podium but the next three contenders all fell (including M H-R) on their runs - just Marlies Schild (Aut) to go. She was in a class of her own - started with a good margin and built on it to take the win by a massive 1.87! Brilliant

Meanwhile at Alta Badia, the very twisty and long first run of the Men's GS had left Ted Ligety nicely placed ahead of Marcel Hirscher and Aksel Lund Svindal. The second run was straighter but with some tricky terrain changes. Early pace setter on run 2 was Fritz Dopfer, and then came a USA rich session. Bode Miller was well on course for a fast time but a massive error (and superb recovery!) put him out of contention, although still with the prospect of useful points. Jitloff had two smaller but time sapping errors and Tommy Ford was a DNF. Pinturault was looking good but again fell, as did Jansrud - a demanding course this one, it seems. Thomas Fanara (Fra) started with over a second advantage, built a little and then lost it bit by bit, retaining just 0.38 seconds to take the lead. Next was Max Blardone (Ita); small lead at start, lost almost all by the first split and then lit the afterburners to go 0.98 seconds ahead - massive run! Svindal, on an increasingly rutted track (but which Max had done so well on), looked ragged as did Hirscher (who I think has a back problem). Even Ted Ligety couldn't match Max - end result Blardone (well done to him, and welcome back); Hannes Reichelt (Aut); Schörghofer (Aut); Ligety (USA); Hirscher; Fanara.

In Monday's Men's slalom at Alta Badia Marcel Hirscher (Aut) took the win from Guiliano Razzioli (ita) and Felix Neureuther (Ger) - more at http://www.fisalpine.com/