11 MAR 2001 > Men's Slalom
Triumph for Benjamin Raich
Race Results

Austria's Benjamin Raich ended the season perfectly in winning the last slalom at Are and at the same time taking the overall slalom World Cup standings. After an impressive second run, he beat by 19/100 of a second the reigning world champion, Mario Matt, a strong leader in the first run while France's Sébastien Amiez was 3rd at half a second behind.

It's sort of a symbolic revenge Raich has taken. At the St. Anton World Championships, he was leading the first run, but a small mistake in the second leg cost him the gold medal. Raich clinched the Crystal Globe by 131 points ahead of Heinz Schilchegger, and 139 on Mario Matt.

"This Crystal Globe means a lot for me, it's much more difficult to win one than a gold medal...."

American Erik Schlopy skied out in the first run as he tried to repeat his performance at Shiga Kogen, Japan, where he was 5th in a slalom. He ends the season in a strong 15th position in the final Overall World Cup standings, the best result for a athlete on the American men's team for years.

Great Britain's Alain Baxter missed his first-ever podium by only 20/100 of a second. It also would have been the first for a British slalom racer ever in a World Cup race. But his position in the first seed will allow him to start next winter with even greater ambitions.

Norway's Lasse Kjus, 14th place, ruined Raich's hope to catch him in the overall standings. Raich finishes the season in 4th place, only a single point behind the 1999 overall champion Kjus. But the Tyrolian Raich, one of the top contenders in the technical events since his first win in January 1999, was not too upset by this short defeat.

"I can't complain about my season, it's nice to conclude it with another victory," Raich said. "When I heard before my start in the second run that I was assured to clinch the title after the slow time set by Heinz Schilchegger, I could take all risks, especially in the lower part. This Crystal Globe means a lot for me. It's much more difficult to win one than a gold medal on a given day. It will boost my confidence for the 2002 Olympics."

Matt had no problem admitting the superiority of his friends who already won three races in January. "I had an almost perfect first run, but in the afternoon, the race conditions were more difficult for the last starters and I made too many mistakes in the lower part of the run," he said. "It's good to be back on the podium on the World Cup after some disappointing races in January, but I was hoping to win that race. I was not as consistent this season as last winter but at least I won the most important race at St. Anton. The last two years have been great for me but I have much more to reach in future."

It was also a wonderful day for Amiez who has not climbed on the podium in the last two years. In December 1998, he was 2nd at Aspen. The 1996 slalom World Cup champion overcame some very difficult moments this winter when he was plagued by health problems. Back pain prevented him from competing at Madonna di Campiglio, Italy, and he suffered a tooth infection in Japan three weeks ago.

"It's really important for me to reach again this podium after this hard season," he explained. "I started well at Park City, but then I lost my momentum and my physical shape because of the problem in my back. I need to be in good shape to ski at my best level, which was never the case in the past months."

The World Cup season is now over. Next season begins in seven months in Soelden, Austria.

— Patrick Lang, World Cup Correspondent

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