Soelden: Men's draw, A Look at the Women's Race

First, let's look at the men's draw for tomorrow. It will make a difference too. With the temps the girls had (high of +13c in the finish)this afternoon, they beat it up pretty badly. And with similar if not warmer temps forecast for tomorrow, that number means something. Great draws for Cuche, Raich and Ligety. For me, 3 is always the best place. With a long start interval for the first 7 there is plenty of time to get Ted some info if necessary. And he is early enough to get a good track. Bad for Grange and Janka. The hill could break by 6 or 7 and really put pressure on them. Hirscher and Baumann drew early in the next 7 and Kostelic and Schoerghofer drew late. Not sure it matters much in the 8-15 group UNLESS it suddenly breaks somewhere in there. Great news for JP Roy, Tim Jitoff and Frank Bourque who run 24,25 and 28 respectively. And even better news for Jake Zamansky starting 30. Had he not moved up into the 30, he would have had to fight out of the mid 40s. I think Kucera in 31 will be a big mover. Robbie Dixon is a tough kid and will have a good chance from 36. And Warner Nickerson and Tommy Ford are starting much earlier than expected in 47 and 52. They just need to be tough as nails and stuff it down the hill. Just hope it doesn't go to hell too soon! Let's go boys!

NOW THE GOOD STUFF! THE GIRLS' RACE...I was going to go on a tirade about the poor skiing and how the hill dominated the race. How the girls were not prepared in any way to compete on that hill as it was. BUT, I will back off that comment and soften it a little with a little Clint Eastwood. " The Good, The Bad and The Ugly."

THE GOOD: Sarah Schleper qualified and then finished 23rd. Good for her and I hope it springboards her to more good stuff.
Tanja Poutiainen, Kathrin Zettel and Denise Karbon. I am sure it felt horrible all the way down but you guys hung in there and put it in the finish and ended up on the steps! Great job and great toughness!
Lindsey Vonn: For someone to switch ski and boot companies just months before this race and record her best ever Soelden finish, fantastic. Great job and take the points, go home, and go win in Levi!
It is early in the year and there is a long way to go. And a month to the next GS. Go home and train and get ready for the real season!

THE BAD: Michaela Kirchgasser on run 2. I love Michaela Kirchgasser as a skier. I think she is great. But to run it out 2 or even 3 gates too soon coming into the flat? Questionable tactics and decision making. I know that the course set was likely too straight through there, but at this level you cannot afford to sacrifice WC points or even a podium for that kind of risk.
Maria Riesch: C'mon Man! Really?
The podium girls on the 2nd run. I know you toughed it out but those were some bad runs under pressure.

THE UGLY:
4.52 seconds to qualification in the top 30? That is the definition of ugly.
To the FIS: Is it smart to hold women's competitions on a hill like this with questionable preparation? Is there a reason to have a bally surface. Kuegeln? Not really. Is it smart to lose star athletes(Niki Hosp) to that decision? I would much rather see the men on an easier hill this early in the season too.
Manu Moelgg: I am a big fan of you, Manu. But that was ugly on run 2.
Julia: We have been lead to believe that she has rededicated herself to training and the pursuit of gold and crystal. I don't see it. That looked physically weak today. I hope it gets better, Juju! We need you!

I know this sounds scathing, but it is written with care and with love of everyone in the sport. Get it together girls! You have 1 month before the next GS!