13 January 2003
Early Challenge from Mickel Results
in Season's Best
Britain's lone downhiller, Finlay Mickel (25, Edinburgh) scored
more precious World Cup points this week as he attacked the notoriously
tough Bormio course for the second time this season, the event having
been moved from the snowless Chamonix.
Familiarity
with the course is key on the Downhill circuit and the experience
gained before the turn of the year, no doubt assisted Mickel as
he posted the 28th fastest time yesterday in training, earning him
bib number 3 and the benefit of a relatively clean piste.
Mickel made the most of his early start, missing out on the opportunity to lead the field by just 0.14 sec, recording a time of 2'01.88. Talking after Finlay's run, Snowsport GB Performance Director and the last Brit to challenge on the Bormio course, Graham Bell, was impressed by Finlay's run, "I have never seen Finlay ski with quite such commitment and courage. He really attacked and made a phenomenal recovery from his one big error. This course is as tough as any on the men¹s circuit, even Kitzbühel and Wengen and this is a great result for Finlay."
Agonising wait
Finlay faced the agonising wait for the remaining 50 competitors
from the Channel 4 commentary box and was delighted with his 26th
place, "It is a real boost to be starting among the big boys. I
felt good after training yesterday and was sure the early start
was going to be more of an advantage than it was in Val Gardena.
I'm really pleased to be in the points again and the season is building
nicely towards the World Championships, next month."
This result equals the best ever British result on this course, recorded 10 years ago by Martin Bell, and confirms Mickel as Britian's most successful performer so far in this season's FIS World Cup tour.
Austria's Stefan Eberharter put his recent injury troubles behind him to win the race emphatically and signal his overall World Cup intentions to American Bode Millar, who slid ahead of Eberharter in the standings during his absence.
The British slalom boys have all been enjoying success on the Europa Cup tour and will be hoping for better World Cup luck tomorrow, also in Bormio.
Results
1. EBERHARTER, Stefan AUT 1'59.27
2. WALCHHOFER, Michael AUT 1'59.75
3. RAHLVES, Daron USA 2'00.04
26 MICKEL, Finlay GBR 2'01.88
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