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).

Dorfmeister takes first Austrian speed victory of season

With the Val d'Isere downhill having been cancelled due to the inclement weather just prior to Christmas and the Berchtesgarden technical events having to be moved due to lack of snow, the organisers of the World Cup moved hastily to make the first races of the New Year into a extravaganza for women's racing.  Two Downhills, a Giant Slalom and Slalom in four days, means that the first for the Overall Women's World Cup will shake up significantly over the four days.  Such is the intensity of competition in the Women's events this season, those wishing to challenge for the overall are having to take part in all five disciplines if they wish to harbour realistic wishes of challenging for the title.

With just one training run possible, Anja Paerson and Janica Kostelic both found themselves in the top 30 starters, as did Chemmy Alcott going number 1!  The cold conditions and with the course in and out of the sun as it wound its way through the trees, meant that this was going to be a test of character down the Deborah Compagnoli course, that is also to be used for the World Championships in February.  Of all the top racers chasing the Overall Tanja Poutiainen was the only non starter.  Janica Kostelic scored well as she fights to catch up with Paerson and Poutiainen as did the rising star Marlies Schild of Austria.  Following her double victory in Semmering between Christmas and New Year (Giant Slalom and Slalom), Schild is now a serious challenger for the overall.

Going first is never easy and a number that Chemmy has had to get used to this season.  Talking to Chemmy after Altenmarkt in December, she admitted that she prefers starting latter so that the course is not so smooth.  Chemmy's run was smooth and apart from one small error two thirds of the way down looked comfortable but nothing special.  Indeed the racers following her all shaved time off the time she had set and when Katja Wirth (Austria) came down and went 2.60 seconds quicker than Chemmy, it looked like being a bleak day for Britain's leading female racer.  Wirth lead until Slalom Specialist, until a few years ago!, Janica Kostelic ripped up the form book to snatch the lead from the Austrian.  The wave in the finish from Chemmy belied the fact that although she lead she knew that this season things have stacked up against her and the World Championships are fast approaching for her to put things right.

After Kostelic posted a great time, this was bettered by exciting young talent Lindsey Kildow and then Dorfmeister.  With three of the top racers still to go it was anyone's guess as to who would be sitting at the top of the results list by the end of the race.  The Austrian media had been talking up the prospects of Goetschl but it was Dorfmeister who lead and neither Gerg, Montillet or Goetschl was able to better the time of Dorfmeister. 

With the top thirty in the finish Chemmy was placed in 26th.  This the result of being faster than three others and defending World Champion, Melanie Turgeon not starting.  By the time 34 had gone down, Chemmy was "on the bubble" in 30th.  With a number of later numbers coming down and placing in the top 30, this was a learning the course day for Chemmy as she slid out of the points positions.  Friday sees another race and another chance to learn the intricacies of the course that will be used for the World Championships in February.

The race was halted briefly as American Stacey Cook took a large tumble in to the catch fencing.  Such was the ferocity of her fall that as well as both skis and sticks flying off so too did one of her gloves!  After a brief lull in the proceedings she walked away holding snow to her mouth.

For Full Results click here.