30 JAN 2001 > Men's Super G
Daron Rahlves' Day
Daron Rahlves Video from Last Week's Garmisch Races
Super G Results
Super G Race Report

Editor's Note: The following transcript is from an interview with USA's Daron Rahlves after winning the super G World Championship race in St. Anton, Austria.

Daron Rahlves:
The race today for me was a kind of strange because I wasn't feeling too good this morning, so I was a little concerned. I was just trying to go back to the feelings that I had in Kitzbuhel last year, when things were going pretty well for me. I wanted to go out there, be relaxed, and try to do the best as I could. I had to deal with the pressure of the World Championships; I was trying to keep that on the side. I wanted to have a fun day.

"You've got to be aggressive, but you've got to think about it. Skiing strong, but skiing clean..."

The snow was outstanding, smooth and hard on the edge. I have to admit, it was perfect for me. You could really get a good feeling — I couldn't have dreamed of better conditions.

There were a few times that I was on ice, in the big right-hand turn. It was really difficult because there were a lot of bumps there. I was free-fall skiing after a little snow section, and then there was the massive right-hand turn at the bottom. I had a problem there — I lost control of my ski and had to kind of kick it around a little bit. In super G, those things happen because you're fighting the whole way. But I didn't pay much attention, and I just kept going, trying to stay ahead of the course the whole way.

I just wanted to go out there and be focused on what I had to do. It's a tough thing not to think too much. You just have to relax and think about skiing.

There are advantages in super G to starting a little behind. After a few guys, I feel more comfortable because I hear the reports of the coaches.

At the bottom part I didn't expect to be toasted so much. I skied the line I wanted to, and I started to realize that you have to be smart when you ski down. It pays off. You should not take too many risks. You've got to be aggressive, but you've got to think about it. Skiing strong, but skiing clean.

It was a kind of shock when I crossed the finish line. It was so quiet when I arrived that I didn't know what was going on. Then when I saw the time... I didn't know what to expect. I just hoped it was not a mistake.

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