Ligety a threat as U.S. men target Sölden podium

U.S. men’s alpine coach Phil McNichol is optimistic about the chances for his seven-man team in the glacier race at Sölden this weekend, but he is also realistic in his expectations. Although Bode Miller is not technically among his charges — racing independently of the U.S. Ski Team — McNichol knows he is always a threat. But the real hope for the U.S. team is Ted Ligety.
U.S. MEN'S ALPINE coach Phil McNichol is optimistic about the chances for his seven-man team in the glacier race at Sölden this weekend, but he is also realistic in his expectations. Although Bode Miller is not technically among his charges — racing independently of the U.S. Ski Team — McNichol knows he is always a threat. But the real hope for the U.S. team is Ted Ligety. Read more on Bode Miller here.
    “Ted is in great shape, skiing real fast. He’s looking good and I am fired up for his race on Sunday,” the coach said.
    “With Dane [Spencer] and Erik [Schlopy] it’s a bit of testing the waters. I think it is important that they race, but let’s see what they can accomplish and not get too far ahead of ourselves. It is Dane’s first race back [he missed all of last season to injury] and he’s been skiing great, but that’s a lot to get back from. Erik is a little bit behind schedule. He’s coming back from a knee injury and I think has a ways to go.” Read more on Dane Spencer here.
    “For the remaining guys, Tim Jitloff, Jake Zamansky and Jimmy Cochran, the test is even more rigorous, as they haven’t proven themselves on the World Cup circuit in GS.
    “Jitloff is very exciting,” McNichol said. “It’s his first season with World Cup chances coming in with the NorAm slot. It’s his first time working with the first group and he has been exciting in training.”
    “Jake has had a good summer. He’s had some opportunities [in the past] and we’re hoping he’ll break through. He’s poised to and I’m encouraged. But it’s time to show us the money.
    “Jimmy’s been skiing quite good, but it’s a bit of a fight with his start position. I’m really happy with the improvement in his skiing, but it’s a process to fight back in. He fell out of the thirties [FIS points] and got jacked way back, so he’s going to have to chisel his way back in [to the start list].”
    Sölden, McNichol points out, is not the best hill to be making attacks from the back. “It looks to be in good shape, and we’ve got good weather coming in, so maybe it’ll have a little smoother surface than usual. That glacier ice can have you banging your teeth all the way down.”