Web Issue 2422 December 19 2005

While the Austrian duo of Michaela Dorfmeister and Alexandra Meissnitzer proved they are the force to be reckoned with in women's super G, taking first and second on Val d'Isere's Oreiller Killy course yesterday, Britain's Chemmy Alcott skied to 17th, admitting she has still not yet performed at her best yet this season.

The super G proved a sharp contrast to Saturday's downhill, which attracted controversy as several contenders and many coaches argued that the race should not have gone ahead in the driving snow and strong winds. Three skiers pulled up during the race due to the buffeting wind.

While Lindsey Kildow lead an American one-two ahead of Caroline Lalive, the 23-year-old Alcott later admitted she was nearly blown off the course during her run, in which she finish 32nd, eight 100ths of a second outside the top 30 and the World Cup ranking points she so badly needs in the Olympic build-up.

Yesterday it was soft, new snow at the margins of the racing line which were the most difficult trap. The visibility was perfect and Dorfmeister skied a tighter, more aggressive line at the top and held her speed well through the final turns to win from Meissnitzer, who added second place to her third on Saturday to extend her overall lead in the women's rankings.

"It's a good result for me, although I never felt I skied it that well," said Alcott, who missed much of last season due to problems with bone spurs on her feet.

"I felt I was too aggressive on my edges at the top which was not good in the new snow, and then I got angry because of that and that probably made it worse.

"But I guess this does mean I am getting the feeling back for my skis which has to be good. I have not skied well yet this season, which is, in a way, the way I'd rather have it. If I was skiing really well I do feel there would be huge pressure to maintain it into the Olympics."

Edinburgh's Finlay Mickel did not make the jump to the top 10 which he was hoping for on Val Gardena's Sasslong track, a favourite for his strong gliding skills. In Saturday's men's downhill Mickel finished 25th, 1.79 seconds behind Marco Buechel, of Liechtenstein, rueing one error which cost him time.

Mickel tried to cut the line into the Mauer jump and had to effect a big recovery which made him lose his line on the following steep section.

"It's part of the process." said Mickel. "Now I am looking to take some risks and see where I can make up the time, or look for extra speed and today it did not come off, but it is still a fair result on the day."

"I felt motivated to turn in a good result today but my skiing is still good and everything is set up well. I am waiting for the right course to give it a big 'blaster', one of the courses I like and know well."

Italy's build up to the 20th Olympic Winter Games looked to be on course in Alta Badia, Italy yesterday as Massimiliano Blairdone scored his second World Cup giant slalom victory of his career, overturning the first run lead of his compatriot, Davide Simoncelli, who finished second just two 10ths of a second behind.