British Alpine Ski Team member Finlay Mickel completed his first World Cup Downhill race 29th November since rupturing his Achilles tendon in Kvitfjell, Norway in February. The 30 year old Scot from Edinburgh finish 43rd in Lake Louise, Canada in a race dictated by the weather filled with surprises.
Coach Mike Pilarski commented “it was a mixed day. The purpose of this period for Fin is to be making steps towards performing in January and anything else is a bonus after last year.
The track has been cutting up a lot all week and there has been quite a few surprises. Today the weather controlled the race with racer number 65 coming into 2nd place as the weather cleared, just as it had done for racers 1 to 10.
I tried not to get exited but Fin was flying past me on the top section however he is still missing certain elements, and after poor preparation in training this week due to the weather and the course deterioration, it showed on the lower sections, 43rd was therefore on its own not too bad”.
Last season Mickel crashed during the World Cup Downhill race in Beaver Creek, fracturing his ankle and resulting in him missing the early part of the season. He fought his way back to race in January at Wengen, the longest and one of the most challenging courses on the World Cup circuit, before injuring himself during training in Kvitfjell.
The race was won by Peter Fill of Italy, his first career win. Second went to Swiss Carlo Janka, his first World Cup podium finish, and third went to Swede Hans Olsson, his first podium placing.
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