As the World Cup Ski Racing circuit moves over to Europe
we take the opportunity to catch up with events so far.
In the Men's competition the Austrians
and, surprise surprise, Herman Maier, have been dominant.
Austrians have won 5 out of 7 races so far, with Maier claiming
three. He currently leads the overall rankings, but the
gap over Norway's Lasse Kjus is much narrower than at the
same stage last year.
Watch for this rivalry continuing
in Val d'Isere this week where Maier attempts to win for
the first time in four events.
On the Women's circuit, the main excitement
is the return of Picabo Street. The American ex-World and
Olympic champion has been out of skiing for two years with
horrendous injury problems. Today's Super-G in Val d'Isere
will be the first competitive race of her comeback.
German, Martina Ertl, is leading the overall
standings, but much of the interest has been off the slope
thanks to a stir over cheating. At the centre of the
storm is Renate Goetschel, the current worldchampion, who
was accused last week of breaking FIS rules by 'stacking'
her boots but removing any evidence before officials checked
after the race.
Nothing was proven, but it has added some spice to the season
- oh for a skier-X between them all now....
Previous FIS/World Cup articles:
Maier wins and loses at Lake
Louise
Early British racing
success
British Team details
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