Lalive Leads Four U.S. Women into Top-25
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St. Mortz, Switzerland Dec. 21, 2001 (USSA)–Caroline Lalive (Steamboat Springs, CO), racing first, was 10th Friday in the third World Cup downhill of the season, leading three other teammates into top-25 results behind Swiss racer Sylviane Berthod.
Outdoor Life Network plans to televise coverage of the race Christmas Eve (Monday) at 8 p.m. EST.
Berthod, who dedicated her victory to French racer Regine Cavagnoud, who died seven weeks ago following a training crash in Austria, was timed in 1:34.05 with DH points leader Isolde Kostner of Italy, who won both downhills at Lake Louise three weeks ago, runnerup, just five-hundredths back.
Lalive, who skied No. 1 when she was third in a super G Dec. 1 at Lake Louise, finished in 1:35.02. Jonna Mendes (Heavenly, CA) was 23rd in 1:35.62 with Kirsten Clark (Raymond, ME) 25th in 1:35.81, just .03 ahead of Katie Monahan (Aspen, CO), who was third in her last World Cup in St. Moritz — a super G at the tail end of the 1999 season, before she suffered two years of knee injuries.
Picabo Street (Park City, UT) was 34th with World Cup rookies Julia Mancuso (Squaw Valley, CA) and Lindsey C. Kildow (Vail, CO) in the 50s among the 65-racer field.
“No, it was a little frustrating but we’re not throwing any furniture today,” said Head DH/SG Coach Jim Tracy. “Conditions were perfect but a combination of things — skiing better tactically, a little more speed from the skis — slowed us down.
“There’s no panic, though. We’ve just got to get a little faster and execute a little better. We’re talking tenths and hundredths and we’re gonna be faster. It’s not as if they’re not skiing well or making major mistakes. We’ve got another shot Saturday in super G and they’ll be after it, for sure,” Tracy said.
He continues to be pleased with the progress the two 17-year-old World Cup rookies, Kildow and Mancuso, are making. “It takes patience, that’s all. They’re paying their dues and they’re moving up. Picabo wasn’t winning at 17…Katie wasn’t 17 when she was on that podium a couple of years ago. Lindsey and Julia are doing just fine,” he said.
The women have a super G Saturday and then scatter for the holidays. The Cafe de Colombia schedule resumes Dec. 18 with the traditional slalom/GS doubleheader in Austria, this time in Lienz.