L a t e s t  n e w s ..... Heel wins Super G in Val Gardena with Defago and Jaerbyn on the podium ... Paerson wins Super combined from Hosp and Suter ... Walchhofer retains King of the Hill in Downhill, Miller 2 and Osborne Paradis 3 ... Gut wins Super G in St Moritz from Suter and Fanchini

'The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams' (Eleanor Roosevelt).

Miller and Rahlves score US one – two, Mickel struggles

The form of the American team continues to dominate the Alpine World Cup!  Having been assigned Stephan Eberharter’s old serviceman, Thomas Buergler, the magician prepared the skis that enabled Miller and Rahlves to score a one two for America. 

With the weather, 26 inches of fresh snow fell after the first training run, causing havoc, the Super G the day before gave racers the opportunity to get the feel for the slope.  Despite having won in Canada, Miller was the first of the top racers to attack the Birds of Prey course and laid down a smooth run that was consistently quick.  With his skis running down the fast track as though he was on rails, Miller’s time was streets ahead of the next racer at the time. 

Bruno Kernan and Didier Cuche from Switzerland both set top five times and with Michi Walchhofer the only Austrian in the top 5, third place, the Americans took the top two steps on the podium, just what the American crowd wanted.  "To have a day like this, and really draw some attention to us is awesome," said Miller, who hasn't finished worse than second this year. "I won't forget this race."

As Rahlves gathered an American flag in the finish area, it was easy to forget that there were still racers waiting to come down.  One of those was Finlay Mickel.  Despite being 14^th quickest through the speed gun, Mickel was never really in the hunt time wise.  The tuck and gliding is a lot better than last year and with luck Finlay will be able to make the jump up into the top thirty when the racers return to Europe next week.

Picture courtesy of Zoom Agence