Men's Super G
Hermann Maier once said that he is not particularly superstitious — choosing bib #8 had just become sort of an easy routine over the years, because it's a perfect number for him. Not too early and not too late. But "The Herminator" wore bib #5 at the start of today's super G in St. Anton. He wanted to start earlier this time because he was afraid the course would quickly deteriorate.

	Strobl

Perhaps Maier should stick to his routine, because he crashed only a few seconds after his start in a fast right-hand turn where he touched a rut with his right boot — a typical, yet unpredictable "inside ski" mistake made most often by novice racers.

Of course, Maier is not a beginner at all. In fact, it's the first time since he joined the World Cup tour back in March 1996 that he failed to finish a super G. Even more incredible is that it happened on the course of the next 2001 World Championships.

"Things like this happen when you take risks — it was just bad luck," said Maier after coming in the finish area to collect his clothes. He had a funny smile on his face while shaking his head. "It's too bad, because it's a great super G course and I would have enjoyed racing on it today. I will come back tomorrow to try to do better."

But Maier's spill was Josef Strobl's luck. The winner of the downhill at Wengen knew about Maier's crash, but he said it didn't make him nervous. Strobl took great risks on the bumpy course to set a new best time, ahead of his teammate Stephan Eberharter.

"I was informed about Hermann's problem but I don't think it really influenced my determination," said 26-year-old Strobl, who has won three podium spots over the past month.

"I was informed about Hermann's problem but I don't think it really influenced my determination...." — Josef Strobl (AUT)

America's Daron Rahlves clocked the 22nd best time, but was disqualified after missing a gate after a small spill. Americans Paul Casey Puckett and Jakub Fiala scored some points, finishing 28th and 29th, respectively.

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"You are always trying your best anyway, and moving at your limits when you race," said Strobl. But he conceded, "Such a result is good for the morale, especially because this is a tough course which requires excellent shape. It's a good course for World Championships. I just hope I will be able to qualify for the race next year. It's not easy when you're part of the Austrian squad."

Strobl knows what he is talking about. He missed the on-site qualification at the Nagano Olympics in 1998 and was not included in the National Team last winter at Vail. Yet he has been one of the most successful Austrian skiers since his first surprising win in December 1994 at Val d'Isere, when he beat French favorite Luc Alphand. That was also his first World Cup race.

	Cuche

Strobl won a super G back in 1997 on the treacherous Olympic course at Kvitfjell, near Lillehammer. (Oddly enough, he wore bib #10 that day, as he did today.)

Strobl will try to repeat his performance on Sunday, but hopes that Maier makes it to the finish line. "It's always interesting to have a strong point of comparison," he said with a grin. His goal now is to make the top-3 in the Overall World Cup standings. His teammate Stephan Eberharter is shooting for the same result, but has been suffering from knee and hip injuries since the Hahnenkamm races in Kitzbuhel.

A total of 26 crashes today revealed just how difficult this new speed course is. "The snow was very slippery because of the warm temperatures and it was difficult to perfectly control the skis," said Didier Cuche. "It's a very demanding slope and I felt so bad that I wanted to give up — it's good that I changed my mind at the end."

The Organizer's Committee and the FIS Race Jury decided to postpone tomorrow's race by one hour. If the course proves to be firmer than today's, Hermann Maier has a good chance of winning.

— Manuele Joyce, MountainZone.com World Cup Correspondent