Winter Olympics - Skiing

[Beanie]

Just a couple of fancies, nothing too heavy.

Been watching a lot of the late night coverage on Channel 4 over the last few months and I can see an opportunity or two to make a little money here:

Not many odds out now so these ones could be beaten, but the Downhill starts tomorrow I think.

There's loads of main contenders for it, and the winner should come from the USA in Miller and Rhalves or Austria in Walchhofer, Strobl or even Maier, but in front of the home crowd I think its worth keeping an eye on Kristian Ghedina.

Old, maybe a bit crazy, but in front of his home crowd on the course that he won a medal in at the World Championships in 1997, he might just have a slight chance to get on the podium again.

42s to win it on Betfair, 5.20 only available to get in the top 3, but if something more towards 8.00 or 9.00 becomes available that could be worth a few £s.

Also, in the Slalom, the man of the moment is Giorgio Rocca who won the first five slaloms of the season, and in front of the home crowd I think the 3.25 at Gamebookers is a bit big. Pallander and Raich are the dangers, but I fancy the Italian to do it in a few weeks time.

[traeth]

You could be right with Ghedina getting onto the podium .I've got no stats but if I remember correctly , winners of the olympic downhill are not the ones that have been showing form in that season , but have had a poor start to the season.I am great believer of experience in the Olympics- going for Maier and Kjus.

Ladbrokes have this offer which may be worth considering especially with the all or nothing racers as there is only the three medals at stake.

Place a bet on Sunday's Men's Downhill and if the skier you bet on fails to complete the course then Ladbrokes will refund your bet with a Free Bet on the Men's Combined Slalom on Tuesday.

[Beanie]

Cheers for that traeth...hopefully they will offer that for the slalom too as Rocca has won all the races he has completed this season(I think )

Just 20/1 for Ghedina for the Downhill on there tho

On the subject of the favourites struggling, do you know of anywhere that has a list of all the past winners of the Olympic Alpine skiing events? Can't find any.

Cretier in 1998 and Strobl at Salt Lake is as far as I can get at the mo.

[traeth]

Beanie list of downhill winners HERE

BUT DIFFICULT TO FIND THEIR FORM FOR THAT YEAR

[Beanie]

Ok...world cup standings from those seasons - which I think is about the best we can do:

Top 10:

2002:
EBERHARTER Stephan AUT
STROBL Fritz AUT
GHEDINA Kristian ITA
CAVEGN Franco SUI
TRINKL Hannes AUT
AAMODT Kjetil Andre NOR
GREBER Christian AUT
SULZENBACHER Kurt ITA
WALCHHOFER Michael AUT
HOFFMANN Ambrosi SUI

Kjus was 15th.

1998:

SCHIFFERER Andreas AUT
MAIER Hermann AUT
BURTIN Nicolas FRA
CUCHE Didier SUI
CRETIER Jean-Luc FRA
GHEDINA Kristian ITA
EBERHARTER Stephan AUT
TRINKL Hannes AUT
STROBL Josef SLO
FRANZ Werner AUT

Kjus was 11th.

1994:

GIRARDELLI Marc LUX
TRINKL Hannes AUT
ORTLIEB Patrick AUT
MULLEN Cary CAN
BESSE William SUI
SKAARDAL Atle NOR
PODIVINSKY Ed CAN
MOE Tommy USA
MAHRER Daniel SUI
AAMODT Kjetil Andre NOR



Generally the medallists coming from within the top 10 in the standings with just Kjus bucking the trend.

Maier seems in good nick just now though, and Kjus is a big occasion performer, and I like those two as well.

Going to be exciting anyway.

[Beanie]

Ghedina was poor this morning but a decent enough price never quite materialised on Betfair.

Decent competition though but Walchoffer's final section is too good at the moment.

[Beanie]

Amazing finish with Deneriaz winning - he was quickest in the final training run too so maybe the indication was there.

Good start to the skiing

[Beanie]

Toying with a lay of Bode Miller in the combined. He has a tendency to get out of shape in the slaloms, and even though everyone is saying he will win if he gets it right, the chances of him getting it right for 2 races is smaller than 50/50 I think. Leading after the downhill but still has it all to do.

There are other dangers too, with Raich, Rocca and Schoenfelder all able to win it.

In truth its Millers to throw away, and he probably will. Hmm...don't fancy it at just over evens though.

[Beanie]

Ah well...missed a chance. Miller out to 8s now - stayed on his feet but was still beaten by Raich by over a second, and Raich should do the same again in the second run.

Can't wait for the slalom proper tho - Rocca 3.50s on Betfair. Didn't do too well in his run in the combined but I dont think he was too bothered about the top 3.

[Beanie]

Ah ok...some eagle eyed folks spotted that Miller straddled a gate - and is out.

Loads of folks have been backing him at fairly big odds too thinking he was still in front.

[Beanie]

Those bloody Austrians - apparently it was on Austrian TV straight after the race and the Austrian Betfair users must have been filling their boots - about £20,000 matched at 10s to 20s.

Currently trying to get matched on Ligety to finish in the top 3 at evens.

He's sitting third, and on his day is the best slalom skiier in the world, along with Rocca. Raich looks to have 1st sealed, but Ligety should be better than Kostelic and Schoenfelder and should take 2nd or 3rd without too much bother.

[stereoman]

You've probably read on Bettingzone about Janica Kostelic being bet heavily on by a Laddies punter to win the Women's Downhill skiing event.

[Beanie]

Yeah - gonna look at that one tonight. Has a chance I guess but a silver or bronze looks more likely. I could see Paerson or Dorfmeister taking the downhill.

Got my evens on Ligety too

[Beanie]

Not only top 3, Ligety wins! :loon

[traeth]

Originally Posted by Beanie

Not only top 3, Ligety wins! :loon

well done beanie