ALPINE:

On eve of Kitz, Ligety hints at future push for overall title

Jan. 20, 2011 — The Canadian Press

KITZBÜHEL, Austria ― American Ted Ligety will spend more time downhill racing next year and attempt to become a contender for the overall World Cup title.


Ligety has dominated the giant slalom circuit this season and briefly topped the overall standings. But he has just four career top-10 finishes in the speed disciplines ― downhill and super-G ― and has increased his training to challenge for the overall World Cup title next season.


While he's earned points in just two speed races this season, his three straight GS victories boosted his confidence going into Friday's super-G race and Saturday's downhill on the Hahnenkamm.


"I feel like I have more speed in super-G as well now," he said. "And with the new start (at the Kitzbühel course), it's definitely better for me. It's a little more technical from the top than before."


Ligety leads the World Cup giant slalom discipline standings, but is more than 300 points behind overall leader Ivica Kostelic. With such a gap, the American isn't expecting to be a credible challenger for the overall title.


"Should be a lot better next year and spend some more time on the downhill skis," said Ligety, whose eight World Cup victories all came in GS. "Speed events are easy to ski, they're just not easy to be fast in."


Last week, Ligety broke his left thumb while racing in Switzerland. But he said he's not hampered by it and can hold his pole almost as usual.


Ligety, of Park City, Utah, will make his fourth appearance at the Hahnenkamm races. He has failed to score World Cup points in the downhill so far, finishing 24th last year for his best super-G result.


"I am still working on (getting faster)," Ligety said. "Right now, I don't think I am very good at doing super long turns. If there is just one long turn, I kind of make three turns instead of one big one. I am still working on smoothing that out."


Ligety switched ski brands in the offseason and is working on technical and tactical details to help generate speed.


"In sections in downhill I am pretty fast, but I haven't figured out how to link everything together," he said. "That comes from experience and feeling comfortable with the speed and knowing where to put the turn."


Ligety is considering a start in all races at the World Championships next month in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.


On Sunday, he scored his first downhill point of the season by finishing 30th in Wengen, Switzerland. That might earn him a spot on the U.S downhill team for worlds because several racers are sidelined with injuries.

"That point makes me the third guy in the team now," said Ligety, who trails Bode Miller and Travis Ganong. "I might race, but if another guy from the team feels he is stronger, then I might let him race."

He knows he's the favourite to win the GS world title.

"The World Championships are important, of course. But I will treat them like any other World Cup race," he said. "I hope I don't put too much pressure on myself."  S-Magazine