Downhill Racer Page #2

He's the only member

of the German team in the top seeding.

And over here, number 13,

hidden a little bit there on the right,

there's Istel of France.

You know, Ron, the great

Austrian-French rivalry

which has served to define the sport

for the last 10 years

is essentially being carried on

by Jacques Boyriven.

He's had the best year by far

of anyone on the French team.

He's strong in all the events, but

downhill is his speciality. And here's...

Here's the great Austrian, Max Meier.

Meier's 31 years old,

and has been in international racing

for the past 17 years.

And over there on the right

is Johnny Creech,

upon whom the American hopes

are riding today.

He was fourth...

Fourth or fifth in the Lauberhorn,

which is the oldest

and perhaps the most important

of all the European races.

Or is Kitzbhel the oldest?

There's Chappellet of the United States.

Oh, I should mention a young man

seeded in the second group

on the basis of a stunning performance

when starting way back.

I think he was 79. Was it 79, Bruce?

Well, I think it was

in the Kandahar at Saint Anton.

He finished fourth just behind Boyriven.

There he is, number 23.

Oh, wait a minute.

I'm sorry, we've got the wrong...

There he is now.

We're on him now. Number 23,

Dave Chappellet from Idaho Springs...

Idaho Springs, Colorado.

Johnny Creech, 2:17, 2:18, 2:19, 2:20.

His time, 2:
21.06.

That's a good time for Creech.

He's only sixth, but as you can see,

he's very popular over here.

Looks like Boyriven

is already celebrating a victory.

Well, that time of 2. 17.92

is going to be hard to beat.

Alec?

Yeah.

- Where's Chappellet?

- Right here.

- Tell him to uncork one.

- Okay.

Now here's David Chappellet

of the United States.

He's off. The American team's

last real chance

in these FIS World Championships.

How does he look to you, Bruce?

He's new on the team, as you know,

but he's already made

a sensational showing.

He's doing the upper part very well.

Chappellet. American.

His interval time is 1:08.

1:
08. Now that's the fastest so far.

He's coming to the bumps now.

- Oh, he's having difficulties... He's...

- Here's the second...

The snow was cut to hell

by the time I started.

It was bad. It was really bad.

There were holes.

They were, I mean...

It would be hard on top

and soft underneath.

If I could have started

five places ahead, just five,

then I would've at least had good snow.

I wouldn't have lost

my balance in the ruts.

- I wouldn't have had to pull so hard...

- No.

What do you mean, "No"?

If I'd have started in the first 15,

I could've won it.

No.

You just weren't good enough, that's all.

You lost your strength,

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