Déja-vu all over again

For the fifth time this season Italy's Giorgio Rocca won a World Cup slalom, and for the fourth time World No. 1 Benjamin Raich relinquished a first run lead. Rocca once again watched as Raich skied out at the start of his second run, the third time this

Rocca's ambition of emulating fellow Italian Alberto Tomba gained momentum with the win.

Rocca has class, style and power and is now only two wins short of Tomba's 1994 run of seven victories in a row.

He also has luck on his side as his win on the Lauberhorn owed much to Benjamin Raich.

Wengen

Benni the Pacesetter

15/01/2006 at 10:04

The Austrian World Cup leader looked set for a comfortable victory after dominating the first leg with a 0.30-second lead over Rocca.

Raich, who is the discipline's world champion, slid out of contention after barely a second in the afternoon run, however, the fourth time this season he had been eliminated after setting the best first-leg time.

Raich retained the World Cup overall lead after taking Friday's super-combined in the Swiss resort but Rocca could hardly believe his good fortune.

"To win here in Wengen was already a dream but to win five in succession is just unbelievable especially as it took place in front of all my family," he said.

"I have no explanation for my current form. All I know is that I'm more and more confident and having a great time," the 30-year-old skier said.

ALPINE SKIING Giorgio Rocca wengen 2006

Image credit: Reuters

"I can win the slalom World Cup as early as next week and I feel I've already accomplished a lot this season. As a result, I'll go to the Olympics without any pressure," he added.

Former world champion Kalle Palander of Finland finished second, 0.20 seconds behind Rocca, while German Alois Vogl, who won on the same piste a year ago, was third in 1:42.79.

Rocca must now win on Raich's terrain, in Kitzbuehel and Schladming next week, to equal Tomba's record of successive slalom wins.

The Wengen weekend left Bode Miller with mixed impressions.

The World Cup overall champion finished eighth in Sunday's slalom, the first time this season that he had completed two runs in the discipline.

On Friday, he straddled a gate in the super-combined slalom as he was heading for an ample victory over Raich. He was joint 11th in Saturday's downhill and on Sunday made up for a poor early run by clocking the fastest time in the second leg.

"I made a big change in my boots," the American said. "I also made a switch of skis and it took some time to figure it out."

Asked if he was back on track after not being on the podium since mid-December, the outspoken Miller said: "You can say whatever you want. But I'm okay, I'm always okay."

Miller's stay in Wengen started with public apologies over comments he made in a television interview that partying had sometimes affected his condition at the start of races.

Wengen

Rahlves rocks Lauberhorn

14/01/2006 at 17:24

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No more Lauberhorn for Raich

13/01/2006 at 16:07

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Raich increases World Cup lead

13/01/2006 at 13:24