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).

Adelboden Giant Slalom

Italian Massimiliano Blardone won this thrilling Giant Slalom on one of the hardest courses on the World Cup circuit.  Trailing Swiss star, Didier Defago after the first run by 0.14, Blardone skied a calculated un on the second.  Attacking where possible and conservatively where needed.  Yet by putting the pressure on Defago, he forced the Swiss star in to making a mistake that saw him ski out.

The race was exciting from the off: Miller lost a stick on the first run and although he was reunited with his favourite giant slalom skis after having damaged them in Alta Badia, the American could only managed fourth after the first run.  The race sprang up a host of interesting results with Daron Rahlves giving himself a late boost of qualification for the World Championships in Giant Slalom by taking third on the first run.  Home cheer was further boosted when Bruno Kernen, a more notable downhiller and taking one of the spots for those with over 400 world cup points in the last year, blasting his way into 11th after the first run.  A further ten racers made the second run from outside the elite top thirty: Marc Berthod from St Moritz shocked the established stars with 15th after the first run.  The 21 year old Swiss team racer had never made the second run before.  To come from 58 to make the second run is a remarkable effort.  Three racers with start numbers in the 50's made the second run, giving hope to racers lower down the rankings.

Blardone, who finished second here last season, is one of a young group of Italian racers that are taking the fight to the others in the Giant Slalom world cup.  Not since Alberto Tomba have the Italians been so successful on the World Cup.  With Rocca winning in the Slalom and the old warhorse, Kristian Ghedina, still able at 35 to make the podium, Italian skiing is coming into fine form in time for the World Championships on home slopes!  Peter Fill added to the Italian joy by taking 13th.

Blardone may not have been the fastest at any of the splits but he was quickest to the one point that mattered most: the finish.  A charging Bode Miller, with two sticks on the second run took the fight to the others but a disappointing final section saw his opportunity fade.  Miller still had enough to keep second from Kalle Palander. 

Coming into the race all the talk was of Thomas Grandi and his hopes of taking an impressive three races in a row.  Going number 1, Grandi had the perfect opportunity to do this.  His first run was disappointing and despite an improvement on his second run, the Canadian was never really in the hunt.  The dark course on the first run did not help him.  Grandi eventually came in 12th and with Miller coming second, the American has now gone back in to pole position in the season long World Cup.

Andi Schifferer, making his debut on Fischer skis following his sudden switch from Rossignol, looked to be making an explosive debut until he lost control on the final compression and ended up crashing through the catch fencing in spectacular fashion.  Daron Rahlves, also throwing caution to the wind down the course gave the catch fencing more work to do on the second run.  Fortunately both walked away unhurt.

"It was a great race," concurred Miller.  "We got lucky with the weather and there was some amazing racing out there.  This is a classic slope! It takes a hill like that to make the best of a recovery like that." Miller had flown through the air for over 10 metres on the second run as he too threw caution to the wind!  "The guys are all skiing great at the moment and this makes for great racing" Miller said to a thrilled press room.

Blardone was very thankful that his ski supplier, Salomon, listened to his worries and kept the race department working hard over the Christmas period.  "It is a great place to win your first race," the delighted Italian responded.  With Blardone stating that this course was one for the tactician as the slope rolls this way and that and that no two turns are the same, all the racers as they got down felt happy.

The World Cup now moves to a very hectic schedule for both the men and women.  The Women race tomorrow in the Super G in Cortina d'Ampezzo then race again on Friday followed by two downhills.  The men race again on Friday in a Slalom followed by Downhill and another Slalom on Sunday.  With Chemmy Alcott hitting good form, 21st in downhill training this morning, and Alain fresh from his result in Chamonix, things are looking good for the British team.  Finlay will be looking to keeping the results coming in as he goes in the downhill on Saturday.  As usual Racer Ready will be bringing you all the news from both races....

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