The unpredictability of downhill

In recent years and for both Slalom and GS events, ski competition has always been reasonably predictable, as to which racers would end up standing on the podium.

The same can't be said of Downhill and to a lesser extent, perhaps, of Super G. Speed events are in fact quite unpredictable and while the top racers win most, the definition of “top racers” goes up from 3 to 5 down in technical events to 10 to 20 in speed races.

Downhill has too many variables to be accurately forecast and between equipment, base structure, choice of wax, speed in some critical areas, best possible line, visibility and of course, snow conditions. The result is that the potential for variation scatters the event predictability.

This is perhaps why last Friday's winner of the Garmish downhill ended up 12th the next day...