The FIS Alpine Ski World Cup of men is opened on Sunday with the giant slalom in Sölden. ORF1 shows the first and second run live (
9:45 and 12:45). The circle of the favorites encloses the usual racers:
Ted Ligety (USA), Benjamin Raich (Austria), Bode Miller (USA) and Aksel Lund Svindal (Norway).
The Norwegian Svindal won the giant slalom in Sölden last year. One month later the season was finished for him after a heavy crash in Beaver Creek's downhill training. On Sunday the World Cup winner of the season 2006/07 returns into the alpine ski circus. For many experts Aksel Lund Svindal already in Sölden is favorite number 1.
As the biggest competitors are traded Ted Ligety and Benjamin Raich. Ligety won the last winter the giant slalom singles competition with 485 points. Raich booked the second final rank with 438 points. A dangerous outsider is Bode Miller. The last winter it ran for the American in the giant slalom not by wish (141 points). Hermann Maier who won in his career all together 14 giant slaloms booked in the final evaluation of the season 2007/08 with 51 points only the 30th rank. This year the “Herminator” wants to go back to old strength, however, a victory in Sölden seems impossible for Maier.
Result Sölden 2007/08:
1. Aksel Lund Svindal (USA)
2. Ted Ligety (USA)
3. Kalle Palander (FIN)
World Cup Giant Slalom 2007/08:
1. Ted Ligety (USA) 485 points
2. Benjamin Raich (AUT) 438 points
3. Manfred Mölgg (ITA) 376 points
4. Didier Cuche (SUI) 293 points
5. Daniel Albrecht (SUI) 284 points
What says the Bookies?
The biggest favorites on a victory in Sölden are Ted Ligety, Aksel Lund Svindal and Benjamin Raich. On a victory of
Ted Ligety the best odd is on
Sportingbet, Bwin and Betsson, odd in each case 5,50.
On a victory of
Aksel Lund Svindal the best odd is on
Bet365, Interwetten and Bwin, odd 6,00.
On a victory of
Benni Raich the best odd is on
Sportingbet, Interwetten and Bwin, odd 6,00.
On a victory of
Hermann Maier the best odd is on
Interwetten and Bwin, odd 40,00.
