| MIXED START FOR BAXTER |
27 November 2001 |
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Nerves jangled all over Colorado in the run up to this event. Organisers, trainers and athletes watched weather predictions avidly as the resort struggled to produce the necessary white stuff for the race to take place. Finally, the event was confirmed, with a day¹s delay, although the Giant Slalom will be postponed to a later date. The icy course, set by the French coach, was a geniuine early season test for the slalom specialists after an eight month break from World Cup competition. Baxter admitted to a few nerves prior to the race, anxious to return to the form that saw him finish 4th in the 2001 World Cup finals in Are in March. Although Alain appeared disappointed with his first run time of 49.95, resting in 16th place he was comfortably within the elite group to proceed to the second run. Baxter posted a solid 2nd run in a time of 50.79, giving him a combined time of 1¹40.74 and 15th position. His coach, Christian Schwaiger, was satisfied with this result. After the race he stated, 'It has been a difficult week for us...Today, Alain was focused and skied well in difficult conditions particularly on the top half of the course. A top 15 is a good, solid start to the season.' The Men¹s World Cup slalom series continued with another Aspen Slalom on Monday. Fresh new snow on the slopes of Aspen unfortunately brought an end to Alain Baxter¹s phenomenal run of World Cup results.. A mistake on the top of the course left Alain just over 2 seconds out on 1st run leader, Austrian Heinz Schilchegger. Then followed an agonising wait to see if his time would remain be among the top 30 to be awarded a 2nd run. Unfortunately, this was not to be and Alain was ultimately pushed back to 33rd place. ) RESULTS - RACE 1 15 BAXTER, Alain GBR 49.95 50.79 1¹40.74
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Alain
Baxter made a mixed start to the season with a promising 15th
in the first Men's World Cup Slalom of the winter followed
by a disappointing 33rd.
