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 Alain
Baxter and Chemmy Alcott proved they can carry their world cup form
into the new year as both of Britain's leading alpine racers scored
world cup points today, continuing their steady ascent of the Audi
FIS Ski World Cup leader-boards.
After both posted 11th place finishes just before Christmas, today
the symmetry nearly continued when the Scots slalom ace skied to
18th on a deceptively tricky track in Flachau, Austria while over
in Megeve, Alcott finished a solid 17th in the World Cup Super G
there.
Chemmy Super G
The combination of grippy snow, flat light and an awkward set to
the course for the Super G, which caught out several girls because
it was so direct on a comparatively simple hill, proved testing
for Alcott, who admitted to being a little more nervous in her quest
to prove that her career best 11th in Park City, Britain's best
ever Women's World Cup Super G result, was no fluke. While the Austrians
dominated with a one, two three lead by Alexandra Meissnitzer, Alcott
was a very respectable 2.02 seconds adrift.
'I made mistakes, which happens when you are really pushing it and
at the edge but these were not like that and I felt perhaps I was
not pushing hard enough, but I am very aware that that is often
my problem, that I push too hard, so getting the balance just right
is quite a difficult one on a relatively easy hill like this one.'
Said Alcott, 'Still the important thing is it is a result for me
and they all count. Now with two good results my start number next
time should be better and that all makes a difference.'
 Baxter
no advantages
So too in Flachau - a new hill to Baxter at World Cup level - the
piste looks flatteringly simple but the regular rhythm changes between
very offset gate combinations requiring quick edge to edge control
and fast flush sections on both courses meant the whole field finished
in tight groups.
Finland's Kalle Palander
all but ran away with the race after racing first to gain an advantage
of 0.84 of a second, but Baxter had it tough. At best he had no
advantages at all, the icy crust was breaking through with some
awkward ruts when he raced 28th for his first run, making his targeted
top 10 just too much. Lying 14th after the first run his second
run was a mix of tactical attack and defence, ensuring that he put
World Cup points on the board for the second consecutive race.
' It would have been so good to break the top 10 today but really
I have to be happy with starting to put together results again.
My confidence is certainly coming back and when that is so important,
these kind of results are an important foundation for the next few
weeks of racing.' Admitted Baxter who has five World Cup races as
well as Europa Cup commitments before the end of this month.
Noel Baxter second world cup run
Alain's brother Noel is also relishing the next few weeks of racing
after coming to within four tenths of a second of qualifying for
his first second run at world cup level.
' I really thought that today was going to be the day' Noel explained,
'But the good thing I have to take from here is knowing I was so
close having made some big mistakes. It's frustrating.'
Men's 3rd Slalom, Flachau, Austria:
1 K Pallander (Fin) 49.73 52.51 1:42.24
2 M Pranger (Aut) 50.59 52.19 1:42.78
3 G Rocca (Ita) 50.81 51.99 1:42.20
4 B Raich (Aut) 50.65 52.20 1:42.85
5 M Moelgg (Ita) 51.63 51.51 1:43.14
18 A Baxter (Gbr) 51.88 52.50 1:44.38
Women's Super
G, Megeve, France
1 A Meissnitzer (Aut) 1:24.98
2 R Goetschl (Aut) 1:25.19
3 M Dorfmeister (Aut) 1:25.40
4 C Montillet (Fra) 1:25.54
5 H Gerg (Ger) 1:25.62
17 C Alcott (Gbr)
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