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 Garmisch,
Men’s World Cup Downhill
Finlay Mickel edged closer to his season long goal with his fifth
top twenty result this season in Garmisch. With the memory of his
epic 11th place in the World Championships still fresh, Mickel has
had to put it out of his head while challenging for a top twenty
five spot by the end of the season. “It gets better every day,”
reflected Mickel after the second of two downhills held in Garmisch.
At first Mickel looked to have missed the opportunity to really
nail the course and trailed Mario Scheiber (Austria) who had gone
before him by a large margin (1.75seconds). “The course was a bit
bumpier and grippier today with a few ice sections,” reflected Mickel.
“I paid the price for the mistakes on the first day but it is all
a learning experience,” continued Mickel.
Focussed on his goal
Thirteen more points in the bag from the two races in Garmisch,
not one of his favourite courses, leaves Mickel heading to Kvitfjell
in Norway in two weeks for the final regular World Cup Downhill
of the season. Mickel must score more than twenty points (13th place)
to have a chance of making the cut in twenty-fifth spot for a ticket
to Lenzerheide. “It is an achievable goal!” Mickel confidently says
and believes! With two weeks of training to prepare for the final
onslaught, Mickel will be totally focused on making the dream happen.
1. Michael Walchhofer (Aut) 1:56.50
2. Mario Scheiber (Aut) 1.56.59
3. Fritz Strobl (Aut) 1:56.95
20. Finlay Mickel (GBR) 1:58.34
Finlay Mickel is fast becoming the two event skier
that he wants to be. After points in the downhill, he also scored
in the Super G. A place at the World Cup finals at Lenzerheide is
highly unlikely - he needs to finish in the top five!
Report by Neil
McQuoid
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