The winner of today’s downhill race Austrian Michael Walchhofer was bombarded with questions. “I have to admit, it seems as if I perform better under pressure. It’s premature to say if this win will boost the morale of the Austrian ski team but I certainly hope so. It means a lot for me personally to be able to add the win in Gardena-Gröden to my list of classics.� He then proceeded to analyze the race step by step. “I emerged from the Camel Humps with a lot of speed and thus I struggled to keep my line into Ciaslat. This course is by far the best to exploit my strengths as a glider. I then had to take on Cuche who is in absolute top-form. Vancouver? It’s possible that I will be racing at the Olympics in 2010 but for now I am looking forward to spending the holidays with my wife and children.

Macarteny is evidently happy. “Our team has a few podiums to show so far and it is testimony to our hard work. There are also Sullivan, Nyman and Miller. I miss Bode during training, but the overall team spirit is excellent. My third podium is really important as I had a bad fall in 2003 here in Gardena-Gröden leading to an injured knee. The course was most demanding but also most fascinating between the Camel Humps and Ciaslat. The speed is unbelievable and a lot of the race is spent mid-air. We will return to the USA after the races in Bormio. Christmas? We’ll spend it in Trento or Innsbruck.