For the week of January 14 - 20, 2004

Bode back in title chase

Wins Kandahar combined

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The U.S. Ski Team’s all-around title hope Bode Miller, 26, of New Hampshire jumped back into the title chase last weekend by winning the first World Cup combined event of the season—the Arlberg Kandahar combined at Chamonix, France.

Miller’s third-place finish in Sunday’s Chamonix slalom gave him 100 points in the combined calculation and boosted the Franconia racer from 10th place in the overall standings, to fourth place with 497 points—84 behind leader Lasse Kjus of Norway.

The result ended a string of frustrating DNFs for Miller, who has been adjusting to new equipment. It was his first SL finish of the 2003-04 season.

Austria’s Stephan Eberharter won Saturday’s Arlberg Kandahar downhill for his 26th career victory. Park City’s Bryon Friedman, skiing 28th, grabbed his first World Cup top 10 with a 10th-place tie on the gliding course.

The American women also did well at Veysonnaz, Switz. last weekend. Kirsten Clark and Caroline Lalive placed 4-5 in Saturday’s women’s downhill won by Renate Goetschl of Austria—her 30th World Cup victory.

Clark moved up a notch to ninth place in the World Cup overall standings, as second-place Goetschl (573) moved closer to season-long leader Anja Paerson of Sweden (752).

The women travel to Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy for two downhills and super giant slalom Jan. 16-18. The men are tuning up for the Lauberhorn weekend at Wengen, Switz., where two DHs and a slalom will be staged.

 

Here is last week’s wrap-up:

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Women’s SG Jan. 11 at Veysonnaz, Switz.:
1—Hilde Gerg (Germ.) 1:21.34. 11—Caroline Lalive 1:22.92. 14—Libby Ludlow 1:23.09. 24—Kirsten Clark 1:23.42. 27—Jonna Mendes 1:23.89.

Women’s DH Jan. 10 at Veysonnaz, Switz.:
1—Renate Goetschl (Aust.) 1:38.58. 4—Kirsten Clark 1:39:17. 5—Caroline Lalive 1:39.57. 18—Libby Ludlow 1:40.33. 22—Lindsey Kildow 1:40.52. 40—Jonna Mendes 1:41.33.

Current women’s World Cup standings:
1—Anja Paerson (Swe). 752. 2—Renate Goetschl (Aust.) 573. 3—Nicole Hosp (Aust.) 506. 9—Kirsten Clark 314. 15—Sarah Schleper 195. 20—Kristina Koznick 169.

Men’s SL Jan. 11 at Chamonix, Fra.:
1—Giorgio Rocca (Italy) 1:29.09. 3—Bode Miller 1:29.52. 19—Chip Knight 1:30.51. 20—Tom Rothrock 1:30.66. DNQ—Bryon Friedman, Ted Ligety, Jimmy Cochran.

Chamonix combined:
1—Bode Miller. 2—Benjamin Ranch (Aust.) 20—Bryon Friedman.

Arlberg Kandahar men’s DH Jan. 10 at Chamonix, Fra.:
1—Stephan Eberharter (Aust.) 1:59.08. 10 (tie)—Bryon Friedman 2:00.40. 15—Daron Rahlves 2:00.46. 34—Bode Miller 2:01.39. 53—Jake Fiala 2:02.58.

Current men’s World Cup overall standings:
1—Lasse Kjus (Nor.) 581. 2—Benjamin Raich (Aust.) 580. 3—Hermann Maier (Aust.) 555. 4—Bode Miller 497 (1-GS by a 310-249 margin over Kalle Palander). 11—Daron Rahlves 316.

 

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