Palander makes a return to the podium

3rd in last giant slalom before World Championships

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Kalle Palander was all smiles yesterday after completing his second run in the FIS World Cup giant slalom event at Adelboden in Switzerland. He took only his third podium placing of the season so far, in what was the final giant slalom before the World Championships in Italy next month.
      However, the grin was wiped away briefly, as all present got a very nasty shock. Daron Rahlves of the United States took a huge and very ugly fall a few gates before the finish line and flew practically into the crowd, via an inflatable barrier and the safety net. People held their breath before the American got to his feet. He escaped with just a serious fright and some bruising.
     
The race was won by Massimiliano Blardone of Italy, who chalked up his first-ever World Cup victory. Second place went to Bode Miller, who leads the overall World Cup standings almost as imperiously as Finland’s Janne Ahonen  is dominating the ski-jumping category.
      Miller even managed to get home on his first run after dropping a ski-pole halfway down.
      Palander, who was defending a win here from last year, was 0.36 seconds adrift from the Italian. In a sense it was a return to square one for the Finn, who finished 3rd in his first giant slalom outing, back in late October. He has also scored one 3rd place in the slalom.
     
Palander is currently lying 7th in the giant slalom standings and seventh in the overall World Cup table.
      He will have two further opportunities to improve his giant slalom position before the season ends, and there will be three more slalom competitions before the World Championships.


Links:
  FIS World Cup Results
  FIS Alpine World Championships 2005, Bormio

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