Didier Cuche targets historic Olympic gold medal

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP)—Heading into an Olympic season, Didier Cuche is by no means overlooking the other major Alpine skiing title at stake this winter.

The quest for World Cup points starts this weekend with the traditional giant slalom opener in Soelden, Austria, and Cuche craves an overall title after three straight third-place finishes.

“The best way to be really mentally prepared for the Olympics is that you go through the first half of the season with good results,” he told The Associated Press.

Still, the main goal this season will be the Vancouver Olympics. And despite Cuche’s disappointing performances at the last two Winter Games in Turin and Salt Lake City, few will be surprised if the 35-year-old Swiss leaves Canada as the oldest Alpine champion in Olympic history.

“That would be a dream come true, for sure,” said Cuche, who became the sport’s oldest world champion after winning the super-G at Val d’Isere, France, in February.

However, it was a couple of other 30-somethings who drew headlines over the offseason: Austrian great Hermann Maier retired at 36 in a tearful news conference; Bode Miller rejoined the U.S. squad at 32, ending speculation he would call it quits.

Miller is sitting out the Soelden race to train more, aiming for a Nov. 15 start in Finland.

“You have to be prepared that (Bode) jumps in the middle of the season,” Cuche said. “He said always that he doesn’t care about the Olympic Games. Maybe he really doesn’t care.”

On the women’s side, a younger generation is expected to dominate this season—especially after another of Austria’s greats, Renate Goetschl, retired at 34 to have a baby.

Two-time champion Lindsey Vonn of the United States and best friend Maria Riesch of Germany are again the top contenders for the overall crown. Other contenders include Sweden’s Anja Paerson, Austria’s Kathrin Zettel and Finland’s Tania Poutiainen.

Riesch also expects a renewed challenge from Austria’s Nicole Hosp, who is now healthy again.

“It would be good to have a good start in Soelden, but it’s not going to be a preview for the rest of the season,” Riesch said.

They were expected to have a tough challenger in 18-year-old Lara Gut, but the Swiss star will be out until January to recover from hip surgery.

Vancouver will be Cuche’s fourth Olympics. His best result is still the silver in super-G in 1998 at Nagano, Japan. At the Turin Games, Cuche was still full of self-doubt a year after tearing ligaments in his right knee.

“That wasn’t about the pain or the knee, that was here,” said Cuche, pointing to his head. “Some guys are really quick to gain confidence. I needed a lot of time. A lot of people thought that’s the end of Didier Cuche. Now I did three incredible years, and I don’t really care what people think and say.”