Press Release
Full Results: Men's
Slalom Ladies
Super-G
From Snowsport GB
Flachau, Austria, Sunday 4 Jan 04.
Alain Baxter and Chemmy Alcott proved they can carry their world cup form into
the new year as both of Britain's leading alpine racers scored world cup points
today, continuing their steady ascent of the Audi FIS Ski World Cup
leader-boards.
After both posted 11th place finishes just before Christmas, today the symmetry
nearly continued when the Scots slalom ace skied to 18th on a deceptively tricky
track in Flachau, Austria while over in Megeve, Alcott finished a solid 17th in
the World Cup Super G there.
The combination of grippy snow, flat light and an awkward set to the course for
the Super G, which caught out several girls because it was so direct on a
comparatively simple hill, proved testing for Alcott, who admitted to being a
little more nervous in her quest to prove that her career best 11th in Park
City, Britain's best ever Women's World Cup Super G result, was no fluke. While
the Austrians dominated with a one, two three lead by Alexandra Meissnitzer,
Alcott was a very respectable 2.02 seconds adrift.
" I made mistakes, which happens when you are really pushing it and at the
edge but these were not like that and I felt perhaps I was not pushing hard
enough, but I am very aware that that is often my problem, that I push too hard,
so getting the balance just right is quite a difficult one on a relatively easy
hill like this one." Said Alcott, "Still the important thing is it is
a result for me and they all count. Now with two good results my start number
next time should be better and that all makes a difference."
So too in Flachau - a new hill to Baxter at World Cup level - the piste looks
flatteringly simple but the regular rhythm changes between very offset gate
combinations requiring quick edge to edge control and fast flush sections on
both courses meant the whole field finished in tight groups. Finland's Kalle
Palander all but ran away with the race after racing first to gain an advantage
of 0.84 of a second, but Baxter had it tough. At best he had no advantages at
all, the icy crust was breaking through with some awkward ruts when he raced
28th for his first run, making his targeted top 10 just too much. Lying 14th
after the first run his second run was a mix of tactical attack and defence,
ensuring that he put World Cup points on the board for the second consecutive
race.
" It would have been so good to break the top 10 today but really I have to
be happy with starting to put together results again. My confidence is certainly
coming back and when that is so important, these kind of results are an
important foundation for the next few weeks of racing." Admitted Baxter who
has five World Cup races as well as Europa Cup commitments before the end of
this month.
Alain's brother Noel is also relishing the next few weeks of racing after coming
to within four tenths of a second of qualifying for his first secondrun at world
cup level.
" I really thought that today was going to be the day." Noel
explained, "But the good thing I have to take from here is knowing I was so
closehaving made some big mistakes. It's frustrating."
Audi FIS Ski World Cup. Sunday. Men's 3rd Slalom, Flachau, Austria:
1 K Pallander (Fin) 49.73 52.51 1:42.24,
2 M Pranger (Aut) 50.59 52.19 1:42.78,
3 G Rocca (Ita) 50.81 51.99 1:42.20,
4 B Raich (Aut) 50.65 52.20 1:42.85,
5 M Moelgg (Ita) 51.63 51.51 1:43.14.
GBR:
18 A Baxter (Aviemore/The BritishLand Alpine Ski Team) 51.88 52.50 1:44.38.
Women's Super G, Megeve, France:
1 A Meissnitzer (Aut) 1:24.98,
2 R Goetschl (Aut) 1:25.19,
3 M Dorfmeister (Aut) 1:25.40,
4 C Montillet (Fra) 1:25.54,
5 H Gerg (Ger) 1:25.62.