Eberharter Takes Fifth Win, Miller 19th

VAL D’ISERE, France Dec. 14, 2002 (USSA Release)–Defending champion Stephan Eberharter nailed the top flat and rolled to his fifth win of the young season Saturday, capturing the third downhill of the season and leading Austrians into the top three places. Bode Miller (Franconia, NH) again had the best U.S. result, finishing 19th after Marco Sullivan (Squaw Valley, CA) crashed at the bottom with a top-10 near his grasp.

Outdoor Life Network will broadcast race coverage Sunday at 3 p.m. EST.

Eberharter—who won not only the World Cup overall title but DH and super G a year ago—had a time of 1:58.09 with Klaus Kroell second in 1:58.78 and Andreas Schifferer third. All three DHs this season have gone to Eberharter.

Miller was 19th in 2:00.53 with Daron Rahlves (Sugar Bowl, CA) 21st and Jake Fiala (Frisco, CO) 26th.

“It wasn’t great but it wasn’t a bad day, either,” said U.S. DH/SG Head Coach John McBride. “Marco skied like a stud – ninth at the last split, but he just didn’t have all the pieces together to finish. That’s the second time that’s happened, but he’s learning the World Cup hills and I’m pleased with what he’s been showing us…

“Bode skied well in the turns but he wasn’t even close up top, going across this long, gliding flat. He made up time at the finish, but the top killed him,” McBride said.

The men run giant slalom Sunday, then move to Sestriere, Italy, for their first taste of the new “knockout” slalom format Monday with a qualifying run during the day and finals under the lights. The speed group moves on to Val Gardena, Italy, for the traditional speed downhill and super next Friday and Saturday.

FIS ALPINE WORLD CUP
Criterium des Neiges
Val d’Isere, FRA—Dec. 14
Men’s Downhill
1. Stephan Eberharter, Austria, 1:58.09
2. Klaus Kroell, Austria, 1:58.78
3. Andreas Schifferer, Austria, 1:59.03
4. Antoine Derniaz, France, 1:59.41
5. Kjetil Andre Aamodt, Norway, 1:59.51

19. Bode Miller, Franconia, NH, 2:00.53
21. Daron Rahlves, Sugar Bowl, CA, 2:00.56
26. Jake Fiala, Frisco, CO, 2:01.08

DNF: Marco Sullivan, Squaw Valley, CA

World Cup Standings (8 races)
1. Eberharter, 518 points
2. Aamodt, 289
3. Didier Cuche, Switzerland, 282
4. Hannes Trinkl, Austria, 216
5. Didier Defago, Switzerland, 212

6. Miller, 201
25. Rahlves, 77
31T. Sullivan and Erik Schlopy, Park City, 58 each
44. Chip Knight, Stowe, VT, 36
51T. Thomas Vonn, Newburgh, NY, 24
60T. Jake Fiala, Frisco, CO, 18
76T. Tom Rothrock, Cashmere, WA, 10
81T. Dane Spencer, Boise, ID, 9

DH Standings (3 races)
1. Eberharter, 300
2. Aamodt, 141
3. Trinkl, 132
4. Michael Walchhofer, Austria, 128
5. Kroell, 124

8. Miller, 80
9. Rahlves, 77
20. Sullivan, 40
31. Fiala, 13