Top memories from the Tour so far

By Marina Knight

As the end of World Cup racing begins to wind to a close, a few highlights stand out.
Before we get to that, keep in mind that the excitement is far from over, because several titles will be hotly contested in upcoming races. Before the finals in Bormio, the men have a giant slalom and slalom at Kranjska Gora and the women have a downhill and combined at Crans Montana.
American Lindsey Vonn is leading the overall, about 50 points ahead of rival Nicole Hops of Austria. Luck was not on Hosp’s side as two technical races, her forte, were cancelled in Germany due to bad weather, taking some pressure off Vonn. She is also 40 points from winning the combined globe, and she has secured the year’s downhill title. That all means she is contending for a total three pieces of crystal.
On the men’s side, Bode Miller slayed races over the weekend racking up a win and two seconds, which puts him ahead of Didier Cuche of Switzerland by 185 points. The challenge for Miller will be to finish in the points of the slalom at Kranjska Gora and finish ahead of Cuche in the giant slalom there. Miller has already won the combined globe and is within 5 points of the downhill globe, which Cuche currently is winning. He will have one more race at Bormio to take it from his Swiss rival.
The only other American close to a title is Ted Ligety, who is 23 points from the lead with two races to go. What will be tough is stealing it away from Benni Raich, who is notoriously speedy at Kranjska Gora.
Now, on to the top memories of the season:

Marshall and Weibrecht’s rogue downhill runs

It is always a thrill to watch skiers attack from the back, and this year two Americans stand out. Chelsea Marshall wore bib number 40 at the Sestriere downhill when she sped to eighth place on the Olympic track. Vonn, who was leading, was giving an interview in the finish when she heard Marshall’s split over the loudspeaker, then turned to face the hill. Since Marshall was winning, Vonn ws especially attentive and as Marshall came through the line everyone erupted cheering, including Vonn, who was jumping up and down in front of the cameras which were still rolling.
Andrew Weibrecht also notched his first World Cup top ten this season at Beaver Creek, wearing bib 53. Conditions worsened and snow started driving, but they didn’t phase Weibrecht, who skied an exciting run, right on the edge of what he could control. He nearly lost it over the camel jumps on the bottom section but hung on. To boot, the next day he finished 7th in combined.

Miller’s first independent win

The pressure was on this season as Miller started for the first time as an independent racer. Away from the comforts (or discomforts, depending on your point of view) of what the U.S. Ski Team provided, Miller was in charge of his own show meaning success or failure was all on him. Winning the downhill in Bormio in late December kicked off a string of races that would put him into the books as the best American skier in history.

Fischer’s hole-in-the-tip skis

It doesn’t happen often that you get to see a technological advancement in sport at work for the first time. As soon as Fischer athletes clicked into the new slalom skis featuring holes in the tips and a cut out semicircle in the back, it was easy to track their impressive results. Mario Matt, Ivica Kostelic and Rainer Schoenfelder started peppering the podium, and athletes starting further back in the field started scoring in the top 30. A similar Fischer ski is being used by some athletes in giant slalom, too; it made its debut at Whistler.

Scott Macartney’s crash at Kitzbuehel

There’s nothing like a horrible crash to put a damper on the ski party that is Kitzbuehel. But usually, skiers crash up on the hill and the fright is filtered though the jumbotron. So, when Macartney lost it off the last jump, hit his head, was knocked unconscious and slid though the line like a rag doll, then lay twitching in front of 60,000 silent fans some considered it a major buzz kill. Luckily, Macartney is okay – he isn’t competing again yet but is expected to return to skiing.

Karbon’s comeback in giant slalom

Italy’s Denise Karbon won the giant slalom title and all but one race in the discipline this season. Her performances were an inspiration considering she’s been on the circuit a long time and overcome injuries on the way back to the top.

Vonn’s downhill domination

Lindsey Vonn won the downhill crystal globe and four downhill races so far. Aside from the results each of her winning runs has been a treat because she has skied with such conviction and confidence. She knows the courses, studies and tinkers with her line in training, comes up with a plan, then executes it on race day.

What is your best memory of the World Cup season so far?
Post a comment below.