Chamonix, France is one of those sites that rotates around the World Cup schedule in the Kandahar tradition. Didier Cuche was 13th in the downhill 11 years ago, was tenth seven years ago and second three years back. This season he won the thing.

Canada had a dreadful race as Manuel Osborne-Paradis was airlifted off the course.

Osborne-Paradis’
ski appeared to catch in the snow and while struggling to regain
control he flew off a roll and landed on his back, then slid down the
course and into the safety nets. He was put in a stretcher and airlifted
to a local hospital in Chamonix. He fractured his left fibula and was being transported to Geneva for additional tests according to Canadian team medical co-director Dr Stephen French.

Chamonix could be considered a “trap” race coming right on the heels of the emotion draining physical test of Kitzbuehel and right ahead of the focus created by the World Championships. Not so for Cuche. With Italian skier Dominik Paris nestled in the leader’s slot Cuche skied masterfully, picking up time at every interval, to register his second straight downhill win (and fourth DH podium of the season) and gain a little breathing room atop the downhill standings.

“I really caught – from top to bottom – the line that was inspecting this morning,” said Cuche. “I had the confidence not to think too much and just ski the line I wanted.”

Paris hung on for second, his first trip down a World Cup DH course better than 17th and Klaus Kroell stuck it in for third.

The result was cause for celebration for the 21 year old Paris. “I am happy to be in this spot,” he said during the press conference. I am still young. I have time.”

Cuche said he started “I told myself he (Paris) was going to be difficult to beat. … We know he is capable of great things.”

“Now,” said Paris, “my best place is second. That is so cool.”

Canadian Erik Guay finished in a tie for 19th. He was the only North American point scorer. American Steven Nyman also failed to finish. Bode Miller did not attend the event. The already limited U.S. entry list was further hampered by a vicious virus.

“We had our challenges here in Chamonix,” said US Men’s coach Sasha Rearick. “We had a gastro virus spread through the team in 24 hours. It knocked down some of the staff members and, unfortunately, Nyman, Gagnon and Maple got it, too. Not fun, it was a very, very strong virus.”

Cuche photo by Gepa

The SCOOP
By Hank McKee
Men’s Downhill, Chamonix, France, Jan. 29, 2011

Equipment
Skier, Skis/boots/bindings
1 Cuche, Head/Head/Head
2 Paris, Nordica/Nordica/Marker
3 Kroell, Salomon/Salomon/Salomon
4 Puchner, Atomic/Atomic/Atomic
5 Walchhofer, Atomic/Atomic/Atomic
6 Bertrand, Atomic/Atomic/Atomic
7 Feuz, Salomon/Salomon/Salomon
8 Clarey, Head/Head/Head
9 Baumann, Salomon/Salomon/Salomon
10 Reichelt, Salomon/Salomon/Salomon

Men’s World Cup downhill, Chamonix, France, Jan.29, 2011. … It is the 25th race on the men’s 39 race 2011 World Cup schedule. … The 23rd held. … It is the seventh of nine scheduled downhills, the sixth held. … It is the 29th World Cup held (at least in part) at Chamonix. … and the 11th  Cup downhill at Chamonix. … It is the first of two races set for Chamonix this season, the second a super combined tomorrow.

It is the 16th career World Cup win for Didier Cuche. … his ninth in DH. … It is his second win of the season and second consecutive DH win. … It is his first win at Chamonix though he was second the last time the race was held at the site in 2008 when Marco Sullivan won.

It is the first career World Cup podium (and top 10) for Dominik Paris. … His previous best Cup finish had been 14th, scored three times (twice in combined, once in SG). … His best previous DH finish had been 17th at Bormio exactly a month ago.

It is the tenth career World Cup podium for Klaus Kroell and ninth in DH. … It is his second podium of the season having won at Wengen Jan. 15.

It is the eighth scoring result of the season for Erik Guay  and third since returning from injury.

Ivica Kostelic (28th in race) maintains the lead of the World Cup overall standings 1078-673 over Cuche, who moves into second. … Silvan Zurbriggen (16th in race) is third overall with 658pts. … Ted Ligety (did not race) is the top American in tenth with 434pts. … Erik Guay the top Canadian in 32nd with 157pts. … Cuche maintains the lead of the DH standings 379-314 over Michael Walchhofer (5th in race). … Zurbriggen is third with 314pts. … Bode Miller (did not race) leads the U.S. in the DH standings in sixth place with 190pts. … Manuel Osborne-Paradis (DNF) is the top Canadian in the DH standings in 21st with 80pts. … Austria leads the men’s Nations Cup 3845-2673 over Switzerland. … Italy is third at 1999pts. … The U.S. is eighth with 991pts and Canada ninth with 885pts.