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www.skiworldcup.org/Soelden (AUT) 26.10.2003
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Men's Giant Slalom - Race report
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| Report
I Race results
I SWC GS I Overall
I Bode
Miller at the top |
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Soelden,
men’s giant slalom
A perfect start for Bode Miller in Soelden
Bode Miller achieved an impressive season-start
in Soelden in dominating the field on
the very demanding Retenbach glacier.
The reigning giant slalom World Champion
beat by over a full second the 2002
GS World Cup Champion and former winner
in Soelden, France’s Frédéric
Covili, while Joel Chenal achieved a
nice comeback in finishing 3rd.
Little known Italian Arnold Rieder reached
a career-best 4th place ahead of the
entire Austrian Armada lead by Tyrolean
Benjamin Raich.
Raich was followed by four of his teammates,
including the 2002 winner, Stephan Eberharter.
The defending Overall World Cup champion,
who suffered a flue, was pleased by
his 8th place. The Austrian veteran
didn’t expect much more since he
only trained two weeks on snow this
fall.
Hermann Maier, starting in 26th position,
was a satisfied 16th – he scored
his first GS point since his victory
in Are in March 2001!
While Finland’s Kalle Palander
and Croatia’s Ivica Kostelic just
ended behind the top-10 group, the Swiss
specialists were rather disappointing.
Tobias Grünenfelder was 13th ahead
of Didier Cuche. They will have to work
hard to replace Michael von Grünenfelder,
only a relaxed spectator at the finish
area this time!
A great weekend for Miller
It was quite an exciting weekend for
Bode Miller who won his first World
Cup race since his success in Kranjska
Gora, in January.
In the days before the competition,
the double World Champion from St Moritz
hold two very crowded press conferences
in Soelden. He presented his new personal
sponsor, the Italian pasta producer
Barilla and made headlines in announcing
his intention to live in his own motor-home
during the rest of the season.
Yet he obviously remained focused and
determined to crush his rivals during
this very challenging giant slalom.
“It was really difficult, especially
in the first run which was very fast
and extremely icy” the skier from
New Hampshire said afterwards. “I
was quite surprised to clock the fast
time in the morning because I didn’t
feel so comfortable. It was a big boost
for my confidence. I was very aggressive
in the second run and pretty sure about
the issue of the race while crossing
the finish line”.
“It’s a perfect start but
there are many more races to come. The
season is long – very long”.
After a laser surgery at his eyes to
improve his vision and some PR-meetings
on the east Coast, Bode will start training
some downhill in Beaver Creek before
preparing the next event, Park City.
Last year, he skied out twice there,
loosing precious World Cup points. He
aims to reach the podiums this time.
The French are back!
More than thirty years have passed since
the last double-podium for the men’s
French team in giant slalom – in
fact both Covili and Chenal was also
astonished by their performance. “I
didn’t expect such a result, it’s
really nice” said Covili, 3rd last
year in that competition.
“I didn’t have the feeling
to be in such a form after this summer
but I was very motivated. The conditions
here are ideal for me. I like hard and
difficult courses”.
Covili was more affected that his teammates
by the changes in his group which lost
his trainer Severino Bottero last spring.
“This result doesn’t affect
my approach of this season. I have no
special goals and I’ll just try
my best in each race”.
Chenal, who hasn’t reached a World
Cup podium for years, was delighted
by his performance which gives him great
momentum. “I skied with my guts
today, especially in the second run”
he said with a huge smile.
“I skied 110% ,I wanted to know
my limits right away. Miller was unbeatable
today, but it’s great to beat so
many other favorites. I needed such
a result to find back all my confidence
after two very disappointing seasons”.
The next men’s competitions are
scheduled in Park City, Utah, on Nov.
23rd /24th.
Philippe Lang
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