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).

A mere 28 girls start the Combined race in Santa Caterina.  For a World Championship event this is disappointing yet it does not take the shine off winning for those that collect the gongs at the end of today.  So who are the favourites?  Who is there to be watched and who is there just for the ride?  Racer Ready thinks that of the 28 starters who has a chance:

Janica Kostelic.  Favourite and defending title holder.  Won in St Moritz and now an even more accomplished downhiller.  At slalom is still one of the best.  Was third in the final training run on Thursday.

Anja Paerson: Top slalom skier who has now moved onto the speed events to have a serious crack at the Overall.  Won the Super G so has the speed, backed this up by winning the last training run, equal with Jacquemod.

Lindsey Kildow: Rising American who is more of a Downhiller but her Slalom has been getting better and better.  Maybe not for outright win but certainly a medal prospect.

Julia Mancuso: Not doing the Downhill proper but having won the bronze in the Super G is a force to be reckoned with.  The joker in the pack, Mancuso is highly rated and has as good a chance as any.  Two runs of slalom and a downhill could give her a chance!

Martina Ertl: German world cup winner in all events apart from Downhill but she did win Gold in the Combined in St Anton in 2001.  Outside chance especially as age is now catching up with her. One podium this season, in Giant Slalom.  Outside chance of a medal.

Many of downhillers are using this as another training run including: Renate Goetschl, Caroline Lalive, Isolde Kostner, Daniella Ceccarelli and Fraenzi Aufdenblatten from Switzerland.  All this means that Chemmy Alcott could spring a surprise.  If she can put a good downhill run together, she was 1.6 seconds out yesterday then anything can happen.  Watch this space!  Top ten should be possible!

All pictures courtesy of Zoom Agence