18 March 2004

Finlay Mickel shored up his international ranking yesterday with a 2nd place in Downhill competition in Flaine, in a precursor to tommorrow's French Championship race. Mickel finished just 0.14 secs behind leading French downhiller, Antoine Deneriaz, who finished 7th in this season's World Cup downhill standings. The course suited Deneriaz, noted for his gliding ability, yet Mickel was faster over the bottom section.

"I nailed it today"
Mickel stated, "The key to this course is the big left turn and I nailed it today. I was able to cleaner than in training on many of the other sections and able to hold speed on the flats and use the hill to gain speed in other sections."

With high hopes for another top result in tomorrow's race, Mickel is more relaxed than in recent weeks. A further result will relieve the pressure and leave him free to enjoy the competition at next week's British Land National Ski Championships in Meribel, where he defends his downhill title and will be eager to bid for the overall title. "It is all coming together now. I am much more relaxed and skiing better. Carrying this feeling into the big races will be the key to next season."

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