Hinterstoder, Austria – Five-time Olympic medalist Bode Miller was third in Saturday’s Audi FIS Alpine World Cup super G for his second straight speed podium. Austrians Hannes Reichelt and Benjamin Raich went 1-2.nMiller, of Franconia, N.H., was second in the Kitzbuehel downhill then took a planned break from the World Cup tour before returning to action in Hinterstoder. Tommy Ford, of Bend, Ore., took advantage of a turn laden course to storm from the 65th start position to 11th for a career best.
“It was a tactical race and I went to the limits, but the course set made you feel awkward on your skis. I’m always trying to win races, but a podium finish is pretty encouraging,” acknowledged Miller, who was • leading by .50 midway through the race before a costly mistake near the bottom of the course.
“Bode came out and hustled top-to-bottom. He just wanted to go, go, go. It was cool to see him just put down a run where you know he has tremendous speed. Unfortunately one mistake on the flat cost him the win,” explained U.S. Ski Team men’s Head Coach, Sasha Rearick.
The turny course suited giant slalom skiers well. “The snow was really hard and grippy, so I knew I had the opportunity to move up,” added Ford. “The key was to push in the right areas.”
“Tommy Ford showed he’s one of the best young technical skiers in the world,” added Rearick. “When he ran it was very dark and bumpy.”
Utahan Ted Ligety finished the race in 21st for his second straight super G in the points, which are awarded to a World Cup race’s top 30 finishers.
“Ted was balanced over his boards, but just over skied it,” Rearick explained. “The course looked challenging and with an early number, he didn’t know how hard he could pin it.”
Saturday was a challenging day for Canada’s speed skiers, with Calgary, Alberta’s Jan Hudec the top Canadian with a 30th-place finish on his return from hand and back injuries, while Ben Thomsen, of Invermere, British Columbia, was 48th. Erik Guay, of Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, was skiing well until he missed a gate and alongside Dustin Cook, of Lac Sainte Marie, Quebec, he did not finish his run.
With the World Championships getting underway this week in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, Miller indicated that he’s ready.
“I’m always going to the Worlds to win but there are so many variables,” Miller said. “The level in men’s skiing is increasing so much that you have to take a lot of risk to win. You also need to have the right skis for that day.”
OFFICIAL RESULTS
Audi FIS Alpine World Cup
Hinterstoder, Austria – February 5, 2011
Super G
1. Hannes Reichelt, Austria, 1:43.91
2. Benjamin Raich, Austria, 1:44.25
3. Bode Miller, Franconia, NH, 1:44.84