Press Center
For Immediate Release
November 18, 2008
Media Contact:
John Dakin
(970) 949-1999
AMERICAN MEN JUMP START EARLY SEASON RESULTS
AS AUDI BIRDS OF PREY NEARS
BEAVER CREEK, Colorado—The 2008-09 Men’s World Cup campaign is barely two weeks old but already, a pair of defending American World Cup title holders have served notice that they are once again a force to be reckoned with as the White Circus prepares for its annual North American leg in Lake Louise and Beaver Creek.
Following the opening slalom of the winter in Levi, Finland, reigning World Cup champ Bode Miller currently sits in second position in the overall standings by virtue of his runner-up showing in Finland and a tenth place finish in giant slalom in Solden, Austria. The second place result marked the American’s first appearance of a World Cup slalom podium since 2004.
Joining Miller among the top overall point holders is Ted Ligety, the defending World Cup giant slalom champion, currently sitting in fifth position courtesy of a strong third place result in giant slalom in Solden. Ligety posted the second fastest time in the first run in Levi before making a critical second run mistake to end with a 22nd place result.
Technical specialist Jean-Baptiste Grange of France leads the men’s standings with 122 points, 16 ahead of Miller and 53 ahead of Ligety. However, with a largely speed schedule on tap for the two North American sites, other racers, including Miller may well move past Grange.
The 2008 Audi Birds of Prey World Cup Race Week will feature super combined on December 4, downhill on December 5, super-g on December 6 and giant slalom on December 7.
The Men’s World Cup tour will travel to Canada for a downhill and super-g in Lake Louise November 29-30 before heading south to Beaver Creek for the 2008 Audi Birds of Prey. Along with Miller and Ligety, the American contingent will also include Steven Nyman, who posted a second place result in the 2007 Birds of Prey downhill, and Andrew Weibrecht, who came out of the 53rd downhill start position last winter to place tenth.
Unfortunately for the rest of the tour, two last year’s standouts have also enjoyed a great early season so far as Swiss teammates Daniel Albrecht and Didier Cuche recorded a one-two giant slalom finish in Solden. Albreacht won both the super combined and giant slalom in Beaver Creek last season, while Cuche finished third in the downhill and third in the giant slalom.
The 2008 Audi Birds of Prey World Cup Race Week is a project of the Vail Valley Foundation. For more information on Birds of Prey, visit www.bcworldcup.com. For additional information on the Foundation, check out www.vvf.org.
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