Hermann Maier has a strange relationship with Val d'Isère. He is the only racer to have won all three events traditionally run by the organizers of the Critérium de la Première Neige in recent years — a Super-G in December 1998, a downhill and a giant slalom a week ago.

But he was also disqualified in 1997 after clocking the fastest total time in a GS because he took off his skis too early after crossing the finish line.

"I don't care now about the World Cup anymore, I just want to race for my own pleasure in the future."

On Sunday, the Austrian was dramatically disqualified one hour before the start of the fourth giant slalom of the season, banned for a further race, fined and threatened with possible legal action.

"The Herminator" was thrown out for exceeding a time limit during a pre-race course inspection, opening the door for Switzerland's Michael Von Gruenigen to win the race for the second time in his career. Ironically, Von Gruenigen also won the race back in 1997 when Maier was disqualified.

Maier, the defending overall World Cup champion, was banned from next Thursday's World Cup giant slalom in the Italian resort of Bormio and fined $15,000 (US dollars) by the International Ski Federation (FIS) for over-reacting by hurtling down the race course without permission ten minutes before the start of the competition.

FIS race director Günter Hujara said that French organizers may start a legal action against Maier for endangering the lives of officials who were preparing the slope at the time. "All the racers are supposed to be off the piste by 8:45am. Hermann crossed the finish line a full two minutes after that, at 8:47," Hujara said.

A few minutes earlier, at 8:38, I gave the official time to one of his trainers at the finish line so he was aware of the situation."

But Maier claimed he was not told of his disqualification by the FIS and had skied the piste simply as a means of getting to the bottom.

"I found out from our own people at the top of the course. I didn't know how I should get down so I just skied down, but definitely not at race speed," he said.

"This is my Christmas present to my rivals," he added. "I am angry. I'm now 40 points behind in giant slalom and today's course was just perfect for me. I don't care now about the World Cup anymore, I just want to race for my own pleasure in the future."

Hujara brushed aside Austrian objections that the clock of the results board at the bottom of the piste was not working and therefore Maier had to rely on his own watch. "It's true, the clock wasn't displaying the time because it was being checked for the race but that's not important," Hujara said, adding that his own watch was synchronized with the official timekeeper and the watch of the Technical Delegate of the FIS, Swiss Elie Cordonnier, who was staying on the finish line at the end of the course inspection.

Hunjara also said he had warned Maier and several other racers including Kjetil Aamodt and Lasse Kjus from Norway about exceeding time limits at a race at Park City, Utah, earlier this season. "We only give one warning, then we act," he added.

In fact, Maier has been known for years to have always taken too much time for his pre-race course inspection. Many coaches have also protested against this situation, complaining that now serious action has been taken against him.

Peter Schroecksnadel, president of the Austrian Ski Federation, said the FIS decision was heavy-handed. "A fine would have been okay, but not a disqualification," he told Austrian television. "This damages the sport. We will look into it with our lawyers. We will not brush this under the carpet".

Maier may also face a legal challenge from Jean-Louis Costerg, director of security on the Val d'Isère organizing committee, because of Hermann's allegedly dangerous unauthorized descent.

This major incident could have strong consequences on Hermann's career and the rest of the season. The defending downhill World Champion may decide to skip some of the coming World Cup races to totally focus on the World Championships in February in Austria's St. Anton. Such a decision would strongly damaged the impact of World Cup Skiing on the public since Maier is the major star on the tour.

A few years ago, Italy's ski hero Alberto Tomba also had some arguments with Gunther Hujara. The triple Olympic Champion even boycotted a slalom in Slovenia's Kranjska Gora after a dispute with the FIS Race Director because of poor racing conditions. He retired in March 1998, partly because he was tired of arguing with officials from his own national federation and representatives of the FIS.

It's quite a strange season which is going on this winter.

— Patrick Lang, World Cup Correspondent

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