honor went to Swede Andre Myhrer, who was a
full second faster than Deville for the heat and
moved into second place. Croate Ivica Kostelic,
Mr. Steady, got to third. Pranger fell back to fifth
behind Deville.
Julien Cousineau entered the finish area with
pseudo six-guns flashing, excited to have learned
he had not lost much over the summer. He finished eighth, one of his top-three career finishes
and his second consecutive slalom top- 10.
“I didn’t really know what to expect because we
hadn’t skied with the other nations so far this
year,” said Cousineau. “I’m happy because I
started off exactly where I left off last season, so
it’s a good start for me.”
Ligety picked off eight places, rising to 18th and
matching his career-best mark on the Levi Black
slope, a hill he considers “mediocre.”
While Brandenburg did not manage to complete
the second heat, he still earned the praise of
head gate coach Mike Day.
“He didn’t get into any trouble at all,” said Day.
“It was just an unfortunate straddle. He had a
good line, was skiing solid. It’s what happens in
slalom. He’s shown he’s got world-class speed
and will make himself into the 30 and 15 with
good luck.”
Good luck is always nice, but Brandenburg said
that his first run “actually didn’t feel that good.”
He knows he is stronger and lighter than he’s
been before and thinks he’s about due for more
than a few World Cup points.
He will get more chances to show what he can
do. Maybe the whole package, including the luck,
will manifest in France, at Val d’Isere, where
Grange will be the odds-on favorite.
