Are: Hank's Handicap: Nations team event

The team event at World Championships, introduced in 2005, is a measure of programs. Strength is needed in both genders and in both speed and technical disciplines. It is not, however, absolutely necessary to have superstars in all categories. Germany won the first team event in 2005. Not many can rightfully claim to have seen that coming. The 2007 event is likely to be just as unpredictable. We’ll take a stab at predicting it anyway.
THE TEAM EVENT at World Championships, introduced in 2005, is a measure of programs. Strength is needed in both genders and in both speed and technical disciplines. It is not, however, absolutely necessary to have superstars in all categories. Germany won the first team event in 2005. Not many can rightfully claim to have seen that coming. The 2007 event is likely to be just as unpredictable. We’ll take a stab at predicting it anyway.
    Six-person teams will represent their nations in super G and slalom with only one skier per nation in each heat. Teams have not been announced yet, so we’re handicapping in the dark, but we can safely rule out the Czech Republic — for instance — from medal contention, as it has little in the way of super G results to count on.
    The easy choice is to go with Austria. Some of her speed skiers have already left Are for home, but the depth is incredible with 33 podiums in slalom and SG so far this season. Still, she had depth in 2005 as well and it doesn’t do as much for you when you’ve only got one skier in each heat.
    Sweden has to be a favorite. The team has its anchor in Anja Paerson, but has had spectacular results from its skiers throughout the championships. Slalom won’t be a problem as long as the DNF rate doesn’t soar, and Patrick Jaerbyn’s SG medal awakens the host country’s chances.
    We also particularly like Canada’s chances. Our North American neighbors have gotten strong SG results all season from both genders and stellar slalom results from the guys. A big effort and/or lucky draw and Brigitte Acton could become a hero with a strong slalom result.
    Italy also needs a big result from its women in slalom but is very capable in other phases. The Swiss are nicely balanced in the disciplines and should pass muster. The Slovenes could also challenge.
    In the 2005 team event, the U.S. got SG “wins” from Bode Miller and Daron Rahlves, a second in slalom from Sarah Schleper and a third in slalom from Ted Ligety, which was good enough to bring the squad a fourth-place result.    
    Rahlves has since retired, Miller is skipping the event due to a twisted knee, Schleper is sitting out the season. Julia Mancuso has gone home and Lindsey Kildow is injured, so the U.S. team will not be at full strength, but it still has strong skiers in both genders in both disciplines.
    It’s not necessary to win every heat. In 2005, gold-medal-winning Germany had two seconds and a win in super G and two wins and a second in slalom. It will be a drawn-out event and may well not be decided until the final race is completed.