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 disappointing night for British Slalom skiing started with the news that Noel had slipped out of the top 60 in the world and as a result James Leuzinger would not be starting as he did in Beaver Creak.  The slope will be used for the 2006 Olympics and as such a lot of racers were here to test the conditions and look to gaining some slope experience.  Although the slope has been a regular on the World Cup over last few years, the proximity of the Olympics means that any chance to test the conditions would be taken.

With wins already in Downhill (2), Super G (1), Giant Slalom (2) all eyes were on Bode Miller as he looked to become the first racer to win a race from each of the disciplines in the same season.  A truly remarkable feat if he could win.  Going early, Miller destroyed the current World Cup Slalom Champions time and after that it was a guess as to who would get close.  Nobody got within half a second on the first run. Rocca (2 after first run) and Neureuther (4 after first run) both blew golden opportunities to set a challenging time for the American, Palander too was unable to overtake the surprise leader, Swiss rising star Silvan Zurbriggan.  Zurbriggan was tenth after the first run yet his blistering second run time was two tenths quicker than the cautious Miller could manage on the second run.  Raich and Sasaki made up the top five in an exciting race watched by many less than the days that saw Tomba win here.  Although the Italian team have a rising stock in World Cup ski racing, the flamboyance and  style of Tomba means that the crowds were ten deep in his day, not so these days.  Maybe Miller is just what the sport needs to bring it back to the forefront of spectators minds.

For the British team it was a night that promised a lot.  "In training I am skiing World Cup winning runs," rued Alain, "yet when I get on the race slope, it is just not there."  Certainly tonight Baxter was slow on the top and when he did let his skis go, it was too late.  "It has been like this for the last three years," reflected Baxter.  With the limited training space due to the snow, the teams have been training together. Whoever is around is who the British team train with, yet in training Alain is skiing great but this does not count.  With this result Alain may drop further down the start list from the 41 he started today.

For Noel it was not a great night either.  Starting at 66 the course was still holding up well when he left the start.  Just coming onto the steep section, Noel hot a gate a bit too tight and straddle.  A frustrated Noel said in the finish afterwards: "That was my best skiing so far this season.  I came into the gate too tight and was just unlucky.

The British team now head to some Europa Cup races in Obereggen, scene of Alain's Europa Cup victory two years ago in the experimental knockout Slalom.  With Noel needing points he now faces a race around Europe looking for points that will bring him back up the start list.  Such is the strength of men's slalom fields these days, Noel will start in the 60's in Europa Cup as well.  Having dropped to outside the top 100, any points would be welcome for Noel.  Eight races in ten days before Christmas and Noel aims to be back up the start list for the January list.