The bib draw is an amazing thing. The night before most World Cups, all the best 15 in the race show up at a stage, usually with a band, and choose their numbers out of a bin, or a hat, or whatever folk art is popular in the area. And usually the bibs are delivered to the athletes by a local junior skier. But whatever happens, it is a huge party to get the thing kicked off. In Levi it already happened today and local hero Tanja Poutiainen got the "hole shot." It's like Jimmy Johnson getting the pole in a NASCAR race in his home town. It's awesome, and exciting. She will be amped for that first run like never before and it will be very interesting to watch the outcome. Schild got 2 which is ok but still a little too early for someone who has been out for so long. If I were her I would prefer #4 which is what our hero Lindsey Vonn drew. I think a perfect first run number in Levi. With the normal 2 minute interval for the first group, she will have about 8 minutes to get herself into the right mood. I have said this before and I will again. She's a pro. She knows her job and she knows herself. I am very impressed with her entire approach to the sport. She will get it done here. Riesch is 5 which is good for both her and Lindsey as they are good friends and will likely relax each other. Sandrine Aubert(FRA) pulled 7 which is always disappointing but I don't think it will matter much. She should be in the mix. I don't think the next group of 8-15 packs much punch for this race. Maybe Therese Borssen(SWE) will get something done. I can hope all I want for Manu Moelgg(ITA) but more as a fan and friend than an analyst.
The real meat of any World Cup first run is the rest of the field. Will late top 30 starters stay in the 30 and get a 2nd run or will the girls in the back bounce them out? Especially this early in the year. Some of them are ready and others are not. One of my favorites, Resi Steigler will be starting 27. She is finally returning to the regular World Cup tour after consecutive knee injuries. She will be racing on her 24th birthday and my 46th. We are Scorpios and we all know that scorps kill it on their big day. Resi will get a second run and move up into the top 15 for a nice start to the season. This is a great hill for her as it matches her grip and rip style. Hailey Duke out of Boise will start 29. This is a big deal as she is nursing an ankle injury and a later start number could really make her feel it. Sterling Grant, the NorAm champ starts 34 which gives her a great chance at scoring some points as well. Unfortunately, Sarah and Kaylin are starting in the weeds at 58 and 70 respectively and that takes a lot of risk, guts and luck to get in the flip from there.
The Canadians all have decent numbers and could all be there in the 2nd run. Anna Goodman starts 25 and was very consistent last season. I think she will start to break into the top 15 instead of the top 20 starting tomorrow. Marie-Michelle Gagnon and Brigitte Acton start 35 and 36 and have a great shot at getting in there for a second run. If Brigitte can get it rolling early in the run and find her rhythm, she can be fast. If she struggles or bobbles early, she has a hard time bouncing back.
Some young girls to watch:
Christina Geiger(GER) She was born in 1990, yes that makes her 19 years old. She's starting 32 and was 2nd in the Europa Cup slalom standings last year. Bernadette Schild (AUT) is also a 1990 year of birth and for Austria to bring her up to Finland for one race means they believe she can get the job done. The same goes for Nadja Vogel(SUI) who is also a 1990. Even younger are Elena Curtoni(ITA) who is a 1991 and Mona Loeseth(NOR) who is also a 1991. Both are younger siblings of established World Cup slalom skiers and I think that the younger brothers and sisters tend to out perform their older siblings.
Start times are 11 AM and 2 PM CET. Stay up all night and fire up the computers to check it out!
Great stuff Greg - I feel like I was in the room at the bib drawing.... For us folks tied to our desk, what's the best way to follow the "White Circus" on the internet these days? Do they even call it that anymore? Keep up the great posts.
ReplyDeleteThey do call it that, still. Although I don't think it's a very good moniker. What can you do. You can follow on www.universalsports.com with european feed and same day coverage. Sometimes with and sometimes without commentary. It is really good stuff.
ReplyDeleteI had 10,000 views last month and on pace for 20k this month! Also now linked to Ski Racing on line and their digital magazine format.