Pinturault Defeats Truman!

That headline is both a reference to a GS race today (men's GS at World Junior Champs in which Pinturault beat, well, everyone, including Truman) and a reference to the classic Chicago Tribune headline from the 1948 presidential election, which wrongly stated that Thomas E. Dewey had defeated Harry S. Truman in the race for the presidency of the United States.  Anyone?  Bueller?

Alright, so Alexis Pinturault shut down our pick for top spot in the men's GS today.  In fact, he shut everyone down in the first run by almost a full second, and then cruised in with a solid second run to take the cake.  We weren't entirely wrong though, as Marcel Mathis used the special powers contained in his shell and actually lifted something (!) to win the second run.  Do you want to know what he uses to tie his skis to the roof of his car?

But we're also picking Pinturault to win tomorrow.  This dude has clearly shown that he's dangerous, and he runs #1 on a course that's steep and sure to fall apart quickly.  Pinturault dares you to ski it smart first run.  Alexis will be using the ski racing equivalent of "Shock and Awe," otherwise known as "Insurmountable Lead."  So go ahead, make the flip.  But don't cry when a dude named Alexis beats you.

On another note, Der Pistenchef sends his warm feelings to Miks Zvejnieks, the up-and-coming Latvian GS skier.  Mik's ski fell off in his first ever championship event.  On the first run.  Before the first gate.  Tragic, literally life-altering, and darkly humorous as well.  Especially when an old French woman tells you that it happened "prior to he reached the first door," and that she hopes "they will give him another chance."  Sorry lady, it's a FIS race, and dammit this is Switzerland, not 'Nam.  Hang in there, Miks.