Only athletes that finish in the top-16 at a world championship can qualify for AAP funding, which is up to $20,000 a year.
In last weekend’s opening event, the super G, Bode Miller of the U.S. reclaimed the form that launched him to the top of the standings at the start of the season to win his first title. He was followed closely by Austrian stars Michael Walchhofer and Benjamin Raich.
François Bourque of New Richmond, Quebec was the top Canadian, finishing 13 th .
"I’m quite satisfied because I reached my goal (of the top 15)," said Bourque. "For me, all the World Cup races in which I took part this season were small tests. But today, it was more like an exam and it looks like I passed.
"I could have skied the top and bottom sections more aggressively but my goal was to ski smart and not to take an unnecessary risks."
Erik Guay of Mont Tremblant was disappointed by his 19 th place finish, which he admitted might have something to do with a series of near crashes in World Cup competitions.
National team rookie John Kucera of Calgary was 25 th , while Whistler’s Jeff Hume was a DNF after going off course after one of the top jumps.
"I’m disappointed because I probably could have made it," said Hume. "I made a split second decision and now I regret having gone that way."
In the women’s super G, things went poorly for the Canadians. Fernie’s Emily Brydon, the top Canadian in 21 st , finished her race with a damaged ski after banging it off a rock. Kelly Vanderbeek of Ontario was 25 th and Genevieve Simard 26 th . Allison Forsyth was on pace to finish well, but crashed after catching an edge and going off course near the finish line.
"I got a bit scared for a second," said Forsyth. "The course was a bit too fast for me and when I fell, I felt myself lose control. I’m a bit sore but I’m going to be okay for the GS."
Anja Paerson of Sweden won the women’s title, followed by Lucia Rechhia of Italy and Julia Mancuso of the U.S. Two other Italians, Nadia Fanchini and Isolde Kostner, rounded out the top-five for the host country. The top Austrian’s had difficulty, with Michaela Dorfmeister going off-course and Renate Goetschl losing her pole.
Training for the downhill took place this week, with the women being sidelined by snow for one of the three days. On the men’s side, Erik Guay finished with the fastest training time on Wednesday on a shortened course.
