Noel Baxter: Coming back to form
It has been a long time coming but five years after his last appearance in Schladming, Noel Baxter put all the back ground problems to rest, almost. With most of the crowd that lined the course still in their treasured spots, Baxter put in a run that almost saw him make a treasured top thirty spot for the second run. It has been a long two years for the 29 year old from Aviemore yet this was a definite statement of intent to those that have written him off. While the desired second run did not materialise, a smile and a positive outlook were very much in evidence.
Competition in the world of slalom ski racing is as fierce as ever and although he once commanded a starting spot near the 30, in Schladming he had to face the start at 71. To describe the course as icy would do it an injustice: this was rock hard and seriously icy. Yet this did not worry or intimidate Baxter. By the first split he trailed first run leader and World Champion (who had also started number 1) Manfred Pranger by 0.68 seconds. This was very respectable in relation to others starting just before him. Baxter was skiing smooth and calm yet admitted in the finish afterwards that he could hear the commentator giving out his times, who had woken up after a number of runners that had not really set the hill alight.
By the second split, Baxter was still in contention and fighting for his life. It has been a hard winter for Baxter with all the financial problems of the British Ski Federation (Snowsport GB). If dealing with the constant demands on his time in asking questions on the troubles was hard, the need to keep the skis running and not slow down was not lost on Baxter. By the second split the margin had grown to 1.81 seconds but this was still very respectable and Baxter was hanging on for dear life. Nine years ago half brother Alain had placed ninth on this hill and this was certainly not out of reach for Noel. Yet still with the encouragement of the commentator ringing in his ears, a slight error of judgement that saw him slide out and the feint chance of qualifying for his first second run since St Anton in 2004 was gone.
At the bottom Noel placed just behind Jens Byggmark in 42nd place. In days gone by this would have been marked down as a wasted opportunity. Those days are gone. Now Baxter has his “head in a much better place” yet knows that his “FIS points do not reflect my results.” The smile is back on the face of Baxter and now that he is fit, he is able to “let it rip” down the courses. Will he soon be back in the mix, slugging it out for top thirty results? “I am skiing well, from high numbers I have been making the 32, 33, 34 spots in the Europa Cup races in Bansko. It is hard to take when the guys that made the 30th spot went on to make top fifteen results!” responded Baxter.
As he stood in the finish, the Rossignol service man came over and had a chat. With support from Stevie Newlands at AMG, Rossignol’s importers in the UK, Baxter is very grateful for the support he is getting this year. While Snowsport GB lurches from one crisis to the other, the reticence of the athletes to talk about it is obvious. This is their work time and they need to be allowed to get on with things. “I came here to ski my race,” Baxter commented, “I watched the first seven racers from the finish then I went in to start preparing.” This is a much more level headed and more determined Baxter this season.
If the skiers can be left to do their thing then maybe the fans and supporters of ski racing in Great Britain can witness some great results. These guys are professionals and give their all for their country.