Giant Slalom (M), Beaver Creek, 02/12

[Comic Book Guy]

Kalle Palander podium finish (2.30 @ Bet365) Since Svindal's injury, there is an open spot at the podium. Beside Beni Raich who is always good in Beaver Creek and USA duo Ligety/Miller, I find Palander's chances pretty palpable. He competed in two Giant Slaloms this season: Solden and Keystone. The Keystone race was semi-professional and a mere training for Beaver Creek. Kalle won with 1.21 margin. Solden's race (a month ago) was much more serious and Pallander finished third (only Svidal and Ligety in front of him - but, don't forget that Svindal is out). He was 2nd after 1st run and had somewhat worse 2nd run, but nevertheless was better than Raich and Miller. In 2006 race he was 7th. He was 2nd after the 1st run and wasn't that bad in the 2nd run, but the race was very tight and with +0.88 , he ended at 7th place. In 2005 he was 3rd in Beaver Creek (1st after the 1st run) and in 2004 he finished as 16th. Looking at his Giant Slalom results from previous seasons, it seems that he has much better results in the first part of season. One other thing (that doesn't mean much): this is his 4th race in Beaver Creek and each time he raced at Keystone week before. He won at Keystone only once and that year he finished as third in Beaver Creek race. Much will depend on his opponents (especially on unpredictable Miller, who will either win or he won't finish the race), but Palander will have very good chances for podium finish.