WCF - ARE,SE 03/14-03/18 Mens

[Dwight]

The Alpine finals are coming up shortly as they have confirmed a positive snow control for the event.

https://www.eurosport.com/alpine-skiing/are/2017-2018/calendar-result.shtml
http://www.fis-ski.com/alpine-skiing/events-and-places/calendar/

So how many points can be won/made to move up in the top spots?

Overall
1 Marcel Hirscher
Austria 1 494
2 Henrik Kristoffersen
Norway 1 205
3 Aksel Lund Svindal
Norway 716
4 Alexis Pinturault
France 687

Downhill

1 Beat Feuz
Switzerland 542
2 Aksel Lund Svindal
Norway 502
3 Dominik Paris
Italy 334
4 Thomas Dreßen
Germany 301

Super G

1 Kjetil Jansrud
Norway 260
2 Aksel Lund Svindal
Norway 214
3 Vincent Kriechmayr
Austria 200
4 Hannes Reichelt
Austria 186

Giant Slalom

1 Marcel Hirscher
Austria 620
2 Henrik Kristoffersen
Norway 495
3 Alexis Pinturault
France 329
4 Manuel Feller
Austria 283


Slalom

1 Marcel Hirscher
Austria 874
2 Henrik Kristoffersen
Norway 710
3 André Myhrer
Sweden 460
4 Michael Matt
Austria 388

Alpine Combined

1 Peter Fill
Italy 140
2 Kjetil Jansrud
Norway 110
3 Victor Muffat-Jeandet
France 105
4 Alexis Pinturault
France 100

 

[Muleski]

The men still have one DH and one SG this weekend. So we'll know more on Sunday.

WC win is 100 points. So that's the most one gain gain, and generally speaking anybody in the lead or contending will not be shut out.The mens speed should/could be interesting.

Hirscher has already locked up the overall, SL, and GS globes. So nothing to happen there.

Even awarding a combined globe, is, IMO, a joke this season. Two events, I think? No combined race at WCF's.

 

[Muleski]

The men still have one DH and one SG this weekend. So we'll know more on Sunday.

Nice SG win by Jansrud, to lock up the SG globe. Well done. Norwegians seem to have a lock on that one, year after year.

DH is still up for grabs, but Feutz has a big lead over Svindal and the hill at Are should work well for both. It's not technically over...but it pretty much is. Feutz was second on Saturday, Svindal was third, and Feutz has a 60 point lead. That's a lot, based on how he's skiing.

So.....not a lot of fighting for the globes, but other things to consider. Moving up the WCSL
is one. Haven't done the math on that....

 

[Muleski]

It's going to be the smallest men's USA team at finals in some time:

Nobody in the SL
Ligety and Tommy Ford in GS
Nobody in SG
Bryce Bennett in DH, and probably Goldberg, who is in 26th. Couple of men ahead of him are likely not going to race.
So could be just 3 guys, four at most.

Tough year.

 

[Primoz]

probably Goldberg, who is in 26th. Couple of men ahead of him are likely not going to race.

For finals, I'm not really sure it works this way. It has been some 2 or 3 years that I was at finals for last time, and I need my memory for more important things so it could easily be that I'm wrong, but if I remember correctly, there's no "reserve" for finals, unless guys who are top 25 are out with injured status. So unless there's someone in top 25 with injured status, I think there's no chance for 26th to be on start. But as I said, I can easily be wrong, and things are in fact different then I remember.

 

[Muleski]

I agree, @Primoz. Good point. Was thinking that we might have one DHer, or more who is injured enough to not start. Chances of FIS status being charged from active to injured, though, are really slim. So, yeah, chances of "Goldie" starting are really slim the more I think it through.

One I was thinking about is Peter Fill, who has announced that his season is over. Too beat up to ski.

 

[Primoz]

One I was thinking about is Peter Fill, who has announced that his season is over. Too beat up to ski.

I know it's not fair and all that, but it's sport and fight for all sort of points, so even though Fill won't be on start, I doubt that means empty place, as I'm pretty sure Italian federation will put him on start list. It's done exactly to prevent someone else to start, who could gain some extra points, and maybe cause some of Italians have worse starting number in next season. It might be dirty play, but it's going on forever and by everyone.

 

[Muleski]

@Primoz, yep. Agree.

 

[Bolder]

Did anyone see the DH at Kvitfell? Super conditions, clearly plenty of winter left up there. Nice win by Dressen to snatch victory from Feuz. Looking forward to tomorrow, I think coverage starts at noon on Eurosport.

 

[checkracer]

It was a good speed weekend at Kvitfjel. Nice winter conditions, any winter fan must have been pleased by Christmas-like pictures. Our winter sport thrives in winter conditions, optically and emotionally.

Otoh, even there in the North, sun seemed to have been a factor. Start time of SG was 10:30 local time and it took almost an hour till bib 25 started. By then the sunlit run probably got faster (the snow in Norway is typically cold but wet due to the sea and Gulfstream) and bibs 25 Sejersted (4th), 30 MOP (5th) and 49 Roger (3rd) took the advantage. Brice Roger (the 41st SG guy on WCSL and with 93rd FIS SG points) almost repeated what Ester did at PyeongChang – while, I´m sure, the snow for Ester didn´t get any faster.

Have you noticed the 678 m SG elevation is outside of the WC rules? I checked them to be on the safe side and ICR 1001.1.1. really prescribes a WC SG 400-650 m.

Btw, today´s SGs aren´t “slaloms” anymore. Their average speeds (now winner´s 92.89 km/h) exceed those of legendary DH winners Killy 1968 (86.8) and Russi 1972 (85.3).

I also noticed the poor presence of USA + CAN racers in the WCFs. The only American ranked 28th, two Canadians ranked 16th and 24th. Where are the snows of yesteryear?

As to the WCF. The rules are very strict. I checked them again: 11.1.1.: first 25 in WC standings, “no shifting or replacement”.

Back to the finals. Mid-March seems to be too late. If the bosses insist on the season climax that late and considering the climate development shouldn´t all Finals be staged in Scandinavia/Alaska?

Mid-March is definitely too late for a “winter”-sport to climax. As skiers we don´t fully understand, spring hero snow is one of the best things you can experience, but most people (TV audience creating TV rating and share) have survived unpleasant 4 or 5 cold months and atavistically greet sun and warmth. The more so if you (do have to) really care about the winter energy costs involved.


I lost my illusions about WCF exactly 20 years ago. Our Czech ski magazine I had established a few years before went to the 1998 WC finals at Crans Montana, Switzerland. They followed the Nagano 1998 Olympics with Maier´s legendary crash, victories and WC win. Picabo Street´s SG title, Katja Seizinger´s and Debby Compagnoni´s triumphs.

Lots of memories I may comment later. We had expected the almost legendary venue would be crazy about the chance to present the Olympic hero of Maier´s calibre.

In fact, if you didn´t know, you would´t have noticed there were WC final races held. The luxury shops open, the luxury cars parked and the rich ladies in their fur coates hanging around but a WC? Yes, there was a stage in the center where WC ceremonies were held but nothing Crans Montana was breathing with.

The audience in the finish area? Absolutely poor. Little interest. A shock for me: Switzerland, the land of champions, tle land where the British had established alpine skiing?

Since then I realistically know skiing is not as big as media present it in winter and as we skiers and fans pray or think. Sad but true.


The 1998 finals were stil fine. A beer with Steff Eberharter, a beer bet with Pepi Strobl monitored by Martina Ertl, an unsuccessful Invitation to the Dance without Carl Maria von Weber and Gene Kelley but with a skier I platonically loved, the superfriendly Picabo. You Americans deserve to hear/read more. OK, maybe later.

 

[Muleski]

There is a WCF women's thread running as well. Recent post from Checkracer on it about the training run. Good stuff.

 

[checkracer]

A few days ago we were discussing Ofterschwang as an example of an unpopular venue probably not being able to offer good snow conditions (Primoz). I tried to “defend” some small unfrequent organizers pointing out they are very enthusiastic and dedicated and happy to host such a big race and I quoted praise the Oftenschwang team got.

Finally I mentioned the problems Kvitfjel organizers had so that the racers themselves had to help prepare the race track last year.

Well, the situation was even worse than I knew. If you use some decent translator you´ll get the gist of the following story from skionline.ch:

„APA, EK- Der Internationale Skiverband (FIS) gibt Kvitfjell als Veranstalter von Speedrennen für die alpinen Ski-Herren noch eine Chance. Voraussetzung ist aber, dass das gesamte Team rund um die Pistenpräparierung ausgetauscht und die Organisation auf neue Beine gestellt wird. Das sagte FIS-Chef-Renndirektor Markus Waldner am Samstag nach der Herren-Abfahrt.

Jahr für Jahr entspricht die Pistenpräparierung nicht den Erwartungen, zudem gibt es auch in anderen Bereichen wie den Mannschafts-Hotels immer wieder Probleme. Obwohl die FIS Kvitfjell bereits öfters die Rute ins Fenster gestellt hat, wurden die Forderungen für heuer wieder nicht erfüllt. So brach die Piste an einigen Stellen, zudem sind viel zu wenige Arbeiter im Einsatz. "Wenn sie die Bedingungen erfüllen und das gesamte Team austauschen, kann ich mir vorstellen, auch in Zukunft hier Rennen zu fahren. Die Strecke ist super und die Athleten kommen eigentlich gern her", sagte Waldner. Er habe bereits beim norwegischen Verband vorgefühlt und eine Neuorganisation zugesagt bekommen. "Wenn das passiert, kann ich mir vorstellen, auch in Zukunft hier zu fahren." Als mögliche Ersatzorte in Norwegen sind Narvik und Hemsedal im Gespräch.

Das dunkelste Kapitel in Kvitfjell wurde 2008 geschrieben, als dem Österreicher Matthias Lanzinger nach einem Sturz der linke Unterschenkel amputiert werden musste. Es hatte Verzögerungen bei Bergung und Abtransport des Rennläufers gegeben.“

Hard to believe. A rich country like Norway with so many top skiers.

 

[Rudi Riet]

Yeah, it sounds like Kvitfjell relies heavily on local volunteers to help with their World Cups. And that's not atypical - witness the crews at Beaver Creek (the Talon Crew) and Whistler (the Weasels), which are almost all volunteers from the local area - but it can be a weakness over time.

The ROC could entertain the idea of flying in one of the aforementioned groups to help with these races. Language wouldn't be a huge barrier (most Norwegians born after 1960 are close-to-fluent in English), and these course workers are versed in keeping a course moving. Yes, it would be a big expense in terms of travel costs, and lodging might also be a pickle, but it would definitely have them covering the basic coursework duties. As far as things like medical teams, that's something that would be easier to get in order if there isn't a worry about course crews and duties.

Just my $0.02...

 

[Rudi Riet]

Spoiler: Dat Men's Race Tho...

At least the men got to run a more-or-less full-length track today. No, it's not the most challenging course on the circuit, but it's good for road-weary athletes.

Feuz did what he needed to do to hold onto the crystal globe. Svindal looked a bit too ragged - he was definitely going for it. The two Austrians at the top of the podium - Kreichmayr and Mayer - skied really great runs. And Dressen continues to impress - I hope he can carry this confidence into next season, as his presence has made things a bit more interesting on the men's speed side.

Bennett was... well, he was there.

 

[checkracer]

Actually, as it seemed to me, they were all happy.

Svindal has its Olympic gold and he didn´t hope he could beat Feuz.

Feuz, who almost incomprehensibly lost the 2012 Finals to Hirscher, has his DH globe.

The Austrians finally winning and saving themselves and Felix Austria honor.

The Germans happy about Dreßen. The guy is very, very important. German TV viewers, fans and visitors to the Alps are essential for the success of Alpine skiing. It badly needs German success and German enthusiasm. With Neureuther and Luitz injured and no good girls except Rebensburg the DH boys are a blessing. Not only for Germans: their main TV broadcasters ARD and ZDF regularly cover Alpine racing and the better German skiers are, the more TV time they get (and not jumpers, speedskaters, biathlonits – the Germans are good at everything). The German Eurosport does the same. They are all FTA (free-to-air) over satellite here.

They are all alive. No harm done to animals. No police needed.

 

[Swede]

Svindal’s knee apparently a bit troublesome. According to an interview he’s not sure he’ll be back in Åre next year, needs to evaluate his physical status before he can say 18/19 is on.

 

[S.H.]

Svindal’s knee apparently a bit troublesome. According to an interview he’s not sure he’ll be back in Åre next year, needs to evaluate his physical status before he can say 18/19 is on.

He's made this pretty clear through the year on his social media and interviews. Training volume way down, always skiing in some pain. Love the guy, but he's 35 and had more than a few bad injuries. Would love to see him get a proper send-off, but ... if this is it, he's had a great career.

 

[Muleski]

Agree. ALS has been skiing through a lot of pain. @S.H. is on point. His time on snow is way down. I hear that he often will not warm up on skis even on race days. He's had a lot of injury, and in terms of a skier, he's an "old" 35. I can see a decision ensuing about how young he is, and how much more time he has, much like we had people on here suggesting that Bode would come back {or Mancuso}. Bode was just a physical mess at 36-37. Done. I also know that Bode was given some advice that he might stop if he wanted to be able to run around with his kids, play tennis, golf, ski for fun, etc. As in "you next crash could be not just career ending....it could be worse."

Svindal is a very interesting guy and a very bright guy. He loves to cycle and ski, and be active. In his business life, he's become a very hands on investor with a couple of groups that fund and help launch start-up and early stage companies. He's evidently very involved, and really into it. I've heard that he's very bright, and has great insights. Proving that formal education is often a bit oversold {see Ligety.....}

If he's advised that he needs more "clean up" surgery, and that he can't complete next season, I suspect that we may have seen his last race as well. And he has had a TREMENDOUS career. It ends for them all at some point. He's been great, and such a class act.

Hope we hold onto him for a bit longer........

 

[4ster]

Well, if Svindal is done the Olympic Gold should help lessen the blow. Hope he saves enough of himself to enjoy some big AK lines!

Beautiful, slinky smooth run by Innerhofer in today’s SG.

 

[Muleski]

Spoiler: Not sure if we need this now!

Another great day and win for Hirscher, and a win by a pretty slim margin over HK. Margin doesn't make much difference. He's won 11 of the last 12 GS. He owns the event, and HK will dominate when MH steps aside....hope that's not for some time. He just gets it done.

Two interesting nuggets from Ligety. He's evidently been VERY frustrated with how most GS courses have been set this season. Though it's hard to see on TV, they have been significantly straighter, faster and more open than in the 35M days. I know it sounds backwards, but that's the case. Those course sets do not play into his style.

So today he skied his first run on a favorite pair 35M skis, and that didn't work "so well."
He was 3+ seconds out. Back on 30M skis for run two. Much better.

He also said that he has a lot of work to do to get his setup right for next season. Which sounds like he plans on skiing. I also read where Steven Nyman's partner, Charlotte Moats, indicated that HE was planning on coming back. Ligety will surprise me. Nyman will surprise me more.

Career best for Tommy Ford. Really great to see, but I'm not getting carried away. Easy hill. Perfect set up for Tommy. It would be great to see him be a fairly consistent top 10-15 or better skier. He's a GS specialist these days.

Will be interesting to watch Hirscher and HK tomorrow. NO US skiers. None qualified. Ouch.