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).

Rahlves launches into FIS with regards to technology and making racing more appealing, Mickel asks why Cruickshank was not shown (posted 1 February)

American Daron Rahlves launched a broadside at FIS after the second training run when asked by a journalist from the New York Times if rumours that FIS were thinking of doing away with downhill because only five nations had in recent years been at the top of the discipline.  "I am out of here if they do," replied the Californian from Truckee.

Rahlves went on to explain that FIS do not do enough to promote the sport through the use of technology.  "They could easily use the technology used in football to show how far people jump, what lines they take and so on," was how the American felt.  "FIS is so old school, I shake my head at a lot of the stuff from FIS!"

"There is a real need to progress through the use of technology!" the American finished with.  Television firms need to listen to what the racers say as with out the television the sport will die, both financially and interest in it.

The BBC have also come in for criticism from Finlay Mickel as they cut Roger Cruickshank's run from their coverage of the Super G.  When asked why this was Graham Bell explained that the race was over.  "The race came to a exciting climax and to have put Roger's run in would have only merited 10 seconds at best.  It was not my `decision but he will need to do something spectacular to gain coverage for the downhill." Asked what this meant Bell answered "top 30 finishers minimum but even then it cannot be guaranteed."  With coverage of racers good for the sport, Mickel explained that he had been very grateful to the Channel 4 coverage of the British racers this season: "BBC are seem more interested in the show rather than the British racers, Channel 4 have looked more at how the British guys have been doing."  With many viewers watching to see how the British racers do, not showing them is hard on the guys!  British Eurosport will be showing the racers up to 13.15 CET.  Cruickshank should be shown by Eurosport though they cannot guarantee this.