|
www.worldskinews.com/Garmisch
(GER) 19.02.2005
|
|
Men's
Downhill - Race report
|
| [ Report
] [ Results
] [ DH
Standings ] [ Overall
Standings ]
|
Another win for Michael Walchhofer
Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, Feb. 19th - Austria's former World Champion Michael Walchhofer became the only second skier to win back-to-back downhills in Garmisch-Partenkirchen where he beat by only 9/100 of a second his young teammate Mario Scheiber while the 2002 Olympic Champion Fritz Strobl was 3rd. In 1973, Switzerland's Roland Collombin was the first to win two downhills in two days here.
Bode Miller, who made again several big mistakes on his way down the faster Kandahar course, missed his third consecutive podium by 8/100. He was the fastest skiers in the upper part of the course. Daron Rahlves was again 5th ahead of an improving Andreas Schifferer. Hermann Maier, an excellent 2nd on Friday, had to be content with a more modest 7th place this time, 31/100 ahead of Italy's veteran Kristian Ghedina.
Benjamin Raich, a strong 11th in the first speed event here, only clocked the 17th best time in that second race after a near-crash situation in the upper part of the treacherous Kandahar course where he almost lost his balance. This prevented him to score as many points as he expected - his delay on Miller in the Overall standings moved up to 167 points.
143 points advance for Walchhofer
In the downhill standings, Walchhofer has now build-up a lead of 143 points on Miller - he is almost assured to become the successor of Stephan Eberharter, unbeaten in this event from 2002 to 2004.
“It looks really fine, I'm very pleased by this third consecutive World Cup victory because it was much more difficult than yesterday,” said the innkeeper from Zauchensee who had to fight harder this time to finish ahead of Scheiber.
“The conditions were more demanding because the course was rougher and I didn't ski so well at the bottom,” he added. “I was not so sure to win again as I crossed the finish line. That's why I appreciate this victory a lot - it's something really special to win two races in two days.”
“I was reflecting a little about the World Cup title this morning, but then I tried hard to focus on my race. I have had such a great season so far that I really feel relaxed and confident. I think that my calm is my greatest force this winter. I don't remember last time I was angry or upset - maybe when I'm driving my car and when I see how foolish people behave sometimes on the road.”
“To clinch the downhill World Cup title was my main goal this winter beside another gold medal at Bormio. I would be very proud to join that group of stars having received the downhill Crystal Cup - it's a true elite. A 3rd place in two weeks in Norway would be enough to stay out of reach of Bode Miller. I'll do my best in Lillehammer.”
Twins for Michael
Walchhofer, a former slalom specialist who began to concentrate on downhill in January 2001, also explained at the press conference that he made great technical progresses in recent seasons. “My technique improved a lot in the last two years, that's why I'm also skiing so well in Super-G and in giant slalom. I also learned a lot from my wife who is incredibly quiet - she taught me to be always positive. I'm really lucky - I have a great family.”
Proud father of a young daughter named Hana, Michael is looking forward to welcome twins in his family in June. “I have eight siblings so I like to have a large family too,” he said with a grin.
On Sunday, he has the possibility to become the first racer to capture three competitions in three days on the Kandahar course. Two months ago, he won his first Super-G in Val Gardena, and he was 2nd to Bode Miller in Bormio in that specialty.
Bode was frustrated
Yet the American will fight very hard to win his first World Cup race since his last triumph in Sestriere. Miller was particularly frustrated after his run which started perfectly for him. “I skied the upper part so well, then I made too many stupid mistakes in the middle section,” he explained. “I was very wide after a jump and lost too much time skiing in fresh snow outside of the course. It's really frustrating, I felt great and ready for an excellent ride. My execution was again very bad.”
Also ready for a great race in that Super-G is Hermann Maier, last year's winner, whose star began to rise here in February 1997 when he beat all the favourites including France's Luc Alphand in a Super-G. His last goal this season is to equal Alberto Tomba in the list of great World Cup winners - and celebrated his 50th victory in a World Cup event.
Patrick Lang
|
|
|
