For complete coverage of 2010 Olympic Skiing, including events, competitors, schedules, and news go to the 2010 Olympic Skiing Guide.
2010 Winter Olympics Alpine Ski Racing Preview - Women's Downhill
Just like in horse racing and the Kentucky Derby the top world class downhill ski racing specialists compete, but on any given day someone out of the blue can win. All the following statistics are culled from the International Ski Federation (FIS) data base and generated by me.
Here are the 2009 season Women's Downhill medal and top ten finishes:
Nation - Gold, Silver, Bronze - 4-10 Finishes - Total Top Ten
Switzerland - 3,0, 1 -10- 14
USA - 2, 2, 2 - 1- 7
Austria - 1, 1, 1- 9 -12
Germany - 1, 1, 1- 5 -8
Sweden - 1, 0, 2 -0- 3
Italy -0, 1, 1- 6- 8
Slovenia -0, 1,0- 4- 5
Canada -0,0,0-6- 6
France -0,0,0-6 -6
Spain -0,0,0- 1- 1
What Do We See
All the USA medals gold - silver - and bronze were won by Lindsey Vonn. Also, the only other U.S. woman to score in the top ten was Julia Mancusco, but the Swiss Team put seven different ladies in the top ten total, Dominique Gisen five times.
Likewise the Austrian team had five individuals in the top ten totals and Andrea Fischbacher 5 times. Maria Riesch was a six time top ten for Germany and always a threat. For Sweden Anja Paerson medaled three times.
Back to the 2010 Winter Olympics home team advantage - the Canadian women had six top tens with Kelly Vanderbeek landing three. It's best not to overlook the Canadian women for a possible medal here.
The 2009 World Championship Ladies Downhill Events
I prefer to look at the World Championship races separate from the overall 2009 history. To the racers the Worlds are a supercharged adrenalin producing showdown that very often brings out super results from lesser known athletes. It can also cause the best to overachieve and have disastrous results.
2009 World Championship Ladies Downhill Top Ten:
1 VONN Lindsey USA 1:30.31
2 GUT Lara SUI 1:30.83
3 FANCHINI Nadia ITA 1:30.88
4 GOERGL Elisabeth AUT 1:31.24
5 ROLLAND Marion FRA 1:31.45
6 MARCHAND-ARVIER Marie FRA 1:31.51
7 FISCHBACHER Andrea AUT 1:31.88
8 SIORPAES Wendy ITA 1:32.31
9 COOK Stacey USA 1:32.37
10 RIESCH Maria GER 1:32.42
What Do We See
Lindsey Vonn finished a safe time in front of Lara Gut, but Gut and Fanchini were only 5 hundredths apart.
Two French women - 5th and 6th - home court advantage showing here. USA Stacey Cook ahead of Maria Riesch - now do you see the adrenalin popping?
An honorable mention for all the Vancouver home court fans - Emily Brydon for Canada was 11th.
