Dougie Crawford used his strength and power to retain the Super G Title in Meribel, the fourth time that he has won the title. Starting five, Crawford admitted that this was just about the perfect number for him under the conditions. ... Crawford is the number one British male speed skier this season and with a number of international racers in the field as well, Crawford also secured the International win as well, his first international podium this season. Marc Oliveras from Andora took second with Adam Chrapek second in the overall race. Billy Major and Max Baggio joined Crawford on the podium for the Delancey British Championship race.
Crawford said: “It was quite a tricky course, I made a couple of mistakes and I was a little bit fortunate that the other guys didn't finish. But it is great to get a win and get going, and hopefully the weather stays good for the rest of the Championships, especially the speed races. I am aiming for the overall title and looking forward to the Downhill. I haven't raced Slalom for a while so that will be interesting, I may be a bit rusty but we will see!”
The main British threat had been expected to come from TJ Baldwin but the British Ski Academy trained racer admitted that he felt out of sorts from the moment that he left the start gate and struggled. Just after halfway down Baldwin came out. With the Downhill starting on Monday, Baldwin needs to put this set back out of his mind and focus on the next race.
Another to crash out who had been expected to challenge was Jack Gower. Gower was another to succumb to a tricky gate at the top of the course but will be looking more to the Giant Slalom and defending his title that he won for the first time last year. With twenty two racers not making it to the finish this was a lesson, for both males and females, in reading the course.
While it was only one race in the season, this was the British Championship and many look to these races to show how their form is. Course reading is something that racers develop during their racing career and with only one inspection allowed in Super G, this is one of the hardest disciplines to master. And now on to the Downhill training - weather permitting!
NC Super-G men results
Pictures from the racing are available on www.racer-ready.ifp3.com
Day one at the Delancey British Alpine Ski Championships from Racer Ready Ski-Magazine on Vimeo.
Dougie Crawford won the men's race but it was Chemmy Alcott who stole the show in her last ever Super G race!