Men's Giant Slalom in Beaver Creek (USA) 2007

Ski2b 02.12.2007 22:45 Uhr

09:44:

At 17:45 CET, the men will start the first run in Beaver Creeks GS. We will be there in time to report the race action from the USA. Until then!



17:30:

Welcome to Beaver Creek where we will see a men's Giant Slalom today.



17:31:

The Super G competition yesterday had to be cancelled due to heavy snowfalls. It was postponed to Monday, December 3rd, at 6 p.m. (CET).



17:33:

In about ten minutes the first forerunners will hit the course.



17:39:

It is the second Giant Slalom in this winter. Aksel Lund Svindal won the first race in Sölden, today he won't take part.



17:41:

A few days ago Svindal had a bad crash during a downhill training session. Severe injuries in his face and abdomen, where he got pierced by his own ski, will most probably make races impossible all winter.



17:43:

Svindal is still in intensive care after several hours of surgery.



17:44 - Miller, Bode (USA):

Bode Miller will open the race today. He reached the fifth position in Sölden and got fourth in the Super Combined Event on Friday. Today he aims for the podium.



17:45 - Ligety, Ted (USA):

Teammate Ted Ligety is one of the favorites, too. He was second in the first Giant Slalom this year.



17:46 - Miller, Bode (USA):

Start! Bode Miller is on the course.



17:48 - Miller, Bode (USA):

Difficulties right from the beginning, and that continues throughout the course. At the Golden Eagle then Miller misses a gate - he continues, but has no chance to reach a top position today.



17:50 - Blardone, Massimiliano (ITA):

Massimiliano Blardone is next, last year's winner. Slower than Miller in the first part, Blardone hits the Golden Eagle well and sets the first real time in the finish: 1:13,18.



17:53 - Cuche, Didier (SUI):

Didier Cuche is next. Fast in the first part, Cuche performs well in the Golden Eagle passage as well. He extends his leap slightly in the final section and takes over the lead, 0.12 seconds ahead of Blardone. Cuche is happy and does his famous ski-salto.



17:54 - Bourque, Francois (CAN):

Noone can beat Miller's time in the first section. Francois Bourque loses time after the Golden Eagle, and is about a second behind Cuche in the finish.



17:55 - Palander, Kalle (FIN):

Kalle Palander's coach set the the course of this first giant slalom run. Palander profits in the first part, he is 0.2 seconds faster there. But then he slips, too much pressure on the inski! Palander misses the gate and drops out.



17:57 - Ligety, Ted (USA):

Ted Ligety now. Slight difficulties in the first passage, but he manages well. Not too much risk in the Golden Eagle, he could have been more aggressive there. Ligety finishes this first run 0.6 seconds behind Cuche.



17:57 - Raich, Benjamin (AUT):

Benjamin Raich is one of the top favorites today. In fact he is the only Austrian today with podium chances.



17:59 - Raich, Benjamin (AUT):

Raich attacks right from the start. 0.25 seconds ahead, that paid off! But then a slight mistake, he is too late at a gate right before the Golden Eagle. That cost time, Raich is 3rd currently.



18:01 - Defago, Didier (SUI):

The next drop-out! Didier Defago with a strong beginning, takes the Golden Eagle well, too. But then he straddles a gate and falls.



18:03 - Chenal, Joel (FRA):

Joel Chenal is specialized in giant slaloms. He is not in perfect shape yet though, behind already after the first section. Not aggressive enough in the middle part either, Chenal is 1.18 seconds behind in the finish.



18:04 - Kucera, John (CAN):

John Kucera almost drops out in the first section! He barely manages to stay in the race, and still is fast at the first intermediate! No mistakes in the Golden Eagle, but he loses time there. In the finish the Canadian is 5th currently.



18:05 - Albrecht, Daniel (SUI):

Daniel Albrecht won the Super Combined Event here some days ago. He likes the American snow, is fast in the first part. He doesn't risk much in the Golden Eagle though, and that costs time. He is 6th in the finish.



18:08 - Mölgg, Manfred (ITA):

What a beginning of Manfred Mölgg! Strong performance, he is 0.2 seconds ahead there. But then he loses time in the Golden Eagle passage, without visible mistakes. Ex equo with Raich, Mölgg is 3rd currently.



18:09 - Fanara, Thomas (FRA):

Thomas Fanara with a mistake right after the start, that cost time. He isn't fast enough on the rest of the course either, the French is 1.6 seconds behind in the finish.



18:11 - Schieppati, Alberto (ITA):

No mistakes in the first section for Alberto Schieppati, but still he is 0.4 seconds behind at the first intermediate already. His margin grows in the flat part, he is 1.63 seconds behind in the finish.



18:12 - Simoncelli, Davide (ITA):

Davide Simoncelli is the last starter in this first group. Clearly behind at the first intermediates already, he won't reach a top position today. Simoncelli is 10th currently.



18:16 - Maier, Hermann (AUT):

Hermann Maier is still looking for the shape of earlier years. In 1999 he won a giant slalom in Beaver Creek. A solid run now, but not fast enough. He takes over the 10th position.



18:17 - Gruber, Christoph (AUT):

Christoph Gruber is next. Good in the beginining, only 0.07 seconds behind. It's the 7th position in the end, that was a good run.



18:18 - Scheiber, Mario (AUT):

Mario Scheiber risks a lot over the Golden Eagle, a good performance there. Then a mistake - that cost time. Scheiber is 1.5 seconds behind Cuche.



18:18 - Fill, Peter (ITA):

Peter Fill is ahead at the first intermediate! But then he loses a lot in the final section, bad luck! Fill is 10th in the finish.



18:20 - Matt, Mario (AUT):

Mario Matt with a solid run. Ahead even in the first part, he then loses a little time after the Golden Eagle. 8th position in the finish, Matt is not satisfied with this run.



18:20 - Büchel, Marco (LIE):

Marco Büchel was second in Beaver Creek at the World Championships in 1999. He is far off that today, 19th position currently.



18:21 - Reichelt, Hannes (AUT):

Hannes Reichelt can't fully prove his good training performances here. Good in the final section though - 0.86 seconds behind, that's the 8th position.



18:24 - Schönfelder, Rainer (AUT):

Rainer Schönfelder is suffering from a cold. Still a solid performance, the Austrian is 9th after this run.



18:25 - Görgl, Stephan (AUT):

And another Austrian skier on the course. Stephan Goergl risks too much over the Golden Eagle, his margin grows. More time lost in the last section - he is 15th in the finish.



18:27 - Schlopy, Erik (USA):

Erik Schlopy is again back after an injury, like so many times before. Only 0.44 seconds behind at the first intermediate, but then he is too aggressive in the final section. Schlopy is 15th currently.



18:28 - Lanzinger, Matthias (AUT):

Matthias Lanzinger with a furious beginning! 0.21 seconds ahead there, but then he loses time in the Golden Eagle passage. He is skiing with a broken hand, and reaches the 23rd position.



18:29 - Gorza, Ales (SLO):

A good run for Ales Gorza. The Slovenian skier slips a little at some gates, but manages well.



18:30 - Roberto, Alessandro (ITA):

Alessandro Roberto is a giant slalom specialist. He does not even compete in any other disciplines. He is not fast enough today though, he crosses the finish line as 21st.



18:31 - Karlsen, Truls Ove (NOR):

Truls Ove Karlssen shows a solid performance in the steep part. Too late at the Golden Eagle jump though, he barely stays in the race. 21st position for him.



18:33:

The first 30 athletes have completed their first run, and the interim result is as follows: Didier Cuche is leading ahead of Massimiliano Blardone (0.12 behind) and Manfred Moelgg and Benni Raich (both 0.53 behind).



18:36 - Larsson, Markus (SWE):

Markus Larsson is having difficulties with the fast course setting. 25th in the finish, it will be difficult to reach the final round today.



18:37 - Guay, Erik (CAN):

Speed specialist Erik Guay should like this kind of course. He isn't too slow in the first part, but then loses time in the flat section.



18:40:

The top ten are all within one second - that will be an exciting final run tonight!



18:44 - Eisath, Florian (ITA):

Florian Eisath with a good performance, but he won't make it into the second run today.



18:45:

That was the liveticker coverage of the men's first run in Beaver Creek's Giant Slalom World Cup race. We'll be back right in time with the second run, which is scheduled for 8.45 p.m. (CET). See you then!



20:34:

Welcome back in Beaver Creek! The second run of the men's Giant Slalom will begin in a few minutes.



20:35:

After the first run, Didier Cuche is leading 0.12 seconds ahead of Massimiliano Blardone. Manfred Moelgg and Benni Raich are following on the 3rd position, about half a second behind the leader.



20:36:

Up to Mario Matt in 10th position, all the athletes on the first positions are within one second. The margins are tiny, we will see an exciting final run.



20:38:

The weather in Beaver Creek is good, but cold: it's -5 degrees, no wind and the sun is shining.



20:42:

The forerunners are on the course already. Four minutes to go for Carlo Janka, who is the first athlete in this second run.



20:48 - Janka, Carlo (SUI):

Carlo Janka has a margin of 1.87 seconds on his teammate Didier Cuche. A solid run, we will see what his time is worth in a few moments.



20:49 - Larsson, Markus (SWE):

Markus Larsson wasn't satisfied with his first run. He isn't with the second run, either. 0.86 seconds behind Janka.



20:50 - Richard, Cyprien (FRA):

Cyprien Richard can keep up with Janka in the first section, but has difficulties then in the transition to the flat part. Half a second behind, Richard is 2nd in the finish.



20:52 - Burtin, Raphael (FRA):

A big mistake right after the beginning, Raphael Burtin almost skies out! He gets back on track, but his margin is of course big.



20:53 - Sandell, Marcus (FIN):

A new leader! Marcus Sandell is faster than Janka in the first part, and does a good Golden Eagle jump as well. A mistake right before the finish, but he saves a leap of 0.01 seconds!



20:54 - Rainer, Niklas (SWE):

Niklas Rainer is 4th in the finish, 0.74 seconds behind Sandell.



20:55 - Schieppati, Alberto (ITA):

Drop out! Alberto Schieppati does not hit the final jump properly and falls. Nothing serious happened, but he has to cancel his run.



20:56 - Fanara, Thomas (FRA):

Again a new leader! Thomas Fanara was unhappy with his first run, but this was a good one! The best performance so far in the final passage, he takes over the lead.



20:58 - Roberto, Alessandro (ITA):

Alessandro Roberto is next. The Italian is 5th in the finish.



20:58 - Karlsen, Truls Ove (NOR):

Truls Ove Karlsen can't keep his leap from the first run. He is 0.83 seconds behind in the finish and on the 4th position currently.



21:00 - Scheiber, Mario (AUT):

Mario Scheiber begins well, is even ahead at the second intermediate. In the final section Fanara was faster - Scheiber is 2nd in the finish.



21:01 - Simoncelli, Davide (ITA):

Davide Simoncelli is only 0.03 seconds behind at the last intermediate! But then he loses time in the flat part and comes in on the 5th position.



21:03 - Maier, Hermann (AUT):

Hermann Maier is next on the course. He loses time in the first part already, but catches up again then at the GOlden Eagle. Slight difficulties then in the final section - 3rd position for him currently.



21:05 - Görgl, Stephan (AUT):

Teammate Stephan Goergl now. Like the ones before he loses time in the first part. His performance in the final passage is good though, it's the 4th position for him in the finish.



21:07 - Schlopy, Erik (USA):

Erik Schlopy gives a good show in the first passage, saves 0.3 sections of his leap there. Like in the first run he loses time in the final section though. Still he is happy with his 8th position.



21:07 - Gorza, Ales (SLO):

Ales Gorza finishes the race on the 9th position.



21:10 - Chenal, Joel (FRA):

Joel Chenal has a leap of 0.43 seconds on Fanara. He can't keep any of that though and is 7th in the finish.



21:12 - Fill, Peter (ITA):

Peter Fill likes the speed disciplines more. Too much time lost in the final part - Fill is 4th in the finish.



21:14 - Bourque, Francois (CAN):

A new leader! Francois Bourque has a leap of 0.65 seconds still at the last intermediate. He saves 0.02 in the finish.



21:15 - Albrecht, Daniel (SUI):

Daniel Albrecht with the best performance in the final section so far! That's the lead, the Swiss is 0.58 seconds ahead of Bourque!



21:17 - Matt, Mario (AUT):

Mario Matt is on a good way in the first part and over the Golden Eagle. Little mistakes then in the last section though, Matt is 2nd in the finish.



21:19 - Schönfelder, Rainer (AUT):

Another Austrian is next, Rainer Schoenfelder. Eight Austrian athletes made it to the second run. Schoenfelder though can't finish it, he loses balance and falls.



21:22 - Reichelt, Hannes (AUT):

Hannes Reichelt had a leap of 0.19 seconds on Albrecht. Difficulties right after the start, but he reaches the 3rd position. That means a top ten result for the Austrian.



21:24 - Gruber, Christoph (AUT):

Christoph Gruber with an aggressive run in the first part, and he is fast! Good in the Golden Eagle section as well, but then he loses time in the final passage! Gruber is only 5th, Albrecht still in front.



21:25 - Kucera, John (CAN):

The leaps are getting bigger, John Kucera is next. Neither he can keep his leap, Kucera is 3rd in the finish.



21:25 - Ligety, Ted (USA):

Ted Ligety now, 5th after the first run. It is getting loud along the course, the fans and coaches are cheering for him.



21:27 - Ligety, Ted (USA):

Ligety had a leap of 0.45 seconds. A slip right after the start, that cost time already. Good in the Golden Eagle, still 0.34 seconds in front. But Albrecht stays in front, Ligety falls back behind Mario Matt.



21:28 - Raich, Benjamin (AUT):

Benni Raich is the last Austrian for today. 0.52 seconds ahead of Albrecht in the first run, but 0.4 seconds of that are lost already at the second intermediate. His performance in the final passage isn't ideal either, in the end Raich is 6th, over half a second behind Albrecht.



21:30 - Mölgg, Manfred (ITA):

Manfred Moelgg was on the third position after the first run, together with Raich. He is fast in the first section, can keep his leap there. But then he falls back, only 10th in the finish!



21:31 - Blardone, Massimiliano (ITA):

Now Massimiliano Blardone. He was a second ahead of Albrecht after the first run, how much of this leap can he keep?



21:33 - Blardone, Massimiliano (ITA):

Albrecht had an excellent second run, Blardone can't keep up with that! 0.15 seconds behind, Albrecht is 2nd already!



21:33 - Cuche, Didier (SUI):

Only Didier Cuche can kick Daniel Albrecht off the lead now. He has a leap of 1.02 seconds on his teammate.



21:35 - Cuche, Didier (SUI):

A good performance in the first part, and a save Golden Eagle jump, Cuche does not lose much there. But then he almost slips - and is 0.11 seconds behind in the finish. Albrecht wins!



21:36 - Albrecht, Daniel (SUI):

What a sensational run of Daniel Albrecht! Victory in the Super Combined Event, and now he wins the Giant Slalom as well, congratulations!



21:37 - Matt, Mario (AUT):

Mario Matt reaches the 2nd position, 0.05 seconds behind Albrecht.



21:37 - Cuche, Didier (SUI):

3rd is Didier Cuche, leader after the first run. He is 0.11 seconds after his teammate Albrecht.



21:39:

Didier Cuche has now taken over the lead in the overall World Cup ranking. Aksel Lund Svindal, who most probably won't be able to take part in any competitions this winter after his bad crash last Tuesday, is still on the second position. Daniel Albrecht follows on 3.



21:40:

That was the liveticker coverage of the men's Giant Slalom World Cup in Beaver Creek (US).



21:42:

Saturday's cancelled Super G competition was postponed to Monday, December 3rd, at 7 p.m. (CET). We'll be back accordingly, see you then!