05 JAN 2001 > Preview
Battle of the GS Stars

After an unexpected two-week break due to the cancellation of a downhill in Bormio because of lack of snow, the men are here to Les Arcs, France, to compete this weekend in a slalom and giant slalom. This will be the first World Cup event hosted by this French ski resort that became known in 1992 when it staged the demonstration speed competitions of the Olympic Games.

"The focus will again be on another fight between Austria's Hermann Maier and Michael von Gruenigen...."

In the giant slalom, the focus will again be on the fight between Austrian Hermann Maier and Swiss Michael von Gruenigen, winners of the past five GS World Cup titles. Both have clinched two races this winter, but also lost the last giant slalom at Bormio which was won by Austria's new star Christoph Gruber. The USA's Eric Schlopy and Sweden's Fredrik Nyberg took 2nd and 3rd, respectively. Von Gruenigen finished 4th and Maier a far 10th after a tough second run.

In the slalom there are more favorites. The three races so far have been won by three different athletes: Heinz Schilchegger and Mario Matt from Austria, in Park City and Madonna di Campiglio, and Hans-Petter Buraas from Norway at Sestriere.

In both events, the American leaders aim for top-3 finishes. Bode Miller, 3rd in December at Val d'Isère, and Schlopy excelled earlier this week in an exhibition race, a three-run sprint slalom, held at Sestriere, which should have boosted their morales for this weekend.

— Patrick Lang, World Cup Correspondent

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