26/11/07
Update from Alain
Quite a positive start so far! I am ranked 9th in the Europa Cup Slalom Tour from my results in Landgraaf (Holland), an indoor race - I finished 6th and 12th.
The 1st World Cup race was in Reiteralm (Austria). I was suprised the organisers managed to run it because of the amount of snow that fell in the days before. I started 73 which is a long way back from where I'm used to starting. The conditions were rough and not ideal but you have no choice and have to ski as well as possible. There was a massive hole on the 2nd gate and I had already lost a lot of time from the first guys. After that I got it together and my split times from there down were in the 40's. I came out of the course about 10 gates from home after hitting another big hole. There was no result but compared to last season, my skiing in those conditions has improved.
The main goal for me between now and Christmas is to lower my world ranking so that my start numbers are a lot better.
I'm heading to Are in Sweden middle of this week for the next Europa Cup races. I know the piste quite well and should have a decent start number due to my ranking from the last race in Holland. After that it's back to Austria for the 2nd World Cup Slalom.
20/12/06
Update from Alain
On way back to Lofer from FIS race in Pampaggio. Got a 13th in only my 4th Slalom so far this year. Slalom is so competive these days, the standard just gets higher and higher. Snow was a bit soft and I really like it bullet proof. It's really cold now so hopefully we'll get some harder pistes.
I'm back home on Saturday - so far I've only spent one week with my new son Kerr since he was born 4 weeks ago. So I'm really looking forward to a good break and the chance to spend some time with the family.
Snow's definitely a bit patchy everywhere, so lots of races are being cancelled and those that run are really busy. Looking forward to good snow and good races in the New Year.
Happy Christmas everyone.
21/11/06
It's a Boy..
Congratulations to Alain and Sheila - Kerr Baxter, was born on Monday 20 November at 4.18pm weighing a healthy 7lb and 5oz.
10/11/06
SnowsportGB News Update
Eleven years after his first FIS World Cup race, and a lifetime of ski racing experiences later, Alain Baxter believes that the start to this winter World Cup season feels different. As he heads to Levi, Finland this weekend to race at the first FIS World Cup Slalom of the season on Sunday, Britain's top slalom racer professes to feel more confident and upbeat than for a number of years.
Any nerves will be directed to the outside prospect of his first child being born - young Baxter is due this weekend too - but expert medical opinion is that the baby will be about a week later than his due date.
Changes to Alain's domestic and professional skiing life have been pretty big during the summer. He married Sheila at the end of the summer and is now living just outside Stirling. The departure of former British Land National Team Head Coach Christian Schwaiger to join the German Ski Team ends a fruitful but, for both, at times frustrating seven year working relationship.
New coach (Thomas) Loedler is also Austrian. He is an ex World Cup racer, a former rival and contemporary of Alain's. Having worked most recently with the Austrian team, including closely with the comeback of Reinfried Herbst who came in from the cold, de-selected from the Austrian team, to win Olympic slalom silver this year, also winning his first world cup slalom race in Japan at the end of last season.
"In many respects what we have been doing with Tom is similar to what I worked on with Christian but it feels new and fresh. Technically it is good and things really clicked the last couple of days before we left Pitztal and I had some good training on hard snow. I was a bit worried before because we had had no hard snow through the summer."
Alain has worked hard with the Volkl factory through the summer to find the skis he is happy with, and reports that he is happy with the set up.
22/09/06
Update from Alain
In Saas Fee at the moment and am just starting training through gates now. The last two camps I have been on have involved a lot of technical work, going back to basics trying to iron out the little problems. The snow out here is getting more and more like winter, cold and dry and so far the conditions have been good
8/05/06
Alain wed his girlfriend Sheila Dow yesterday.
Alain Baxter married his businesswoman girlfriend Sheila Dow yesterday. The couple walked through an eight-strong guard of honour holding skis aloft after the wedding at Dornoch Cathedral in Sutherland. Alain, 32, and 33-year-old Sheila got engaged at Christmas after they met last April. Last night, the couple said they were over the moon. Alain, said: "I couldn't be happier. We are very much in love." After a reception at Dunrobin Castle they jetted off on honeymoon to Cyprus
21/03/06
Update from Alain
Been pretty full on since the Olympics,the season's coming to an end now. Just finished the Europa Cup Slalom in Flachau, Austria, I was going pretty good but unfortunately straddled about 3
quarters of the way down and that was one of the last
races I could have improved my world ranking. Now the
plan is to race the Swiss and French National Championships then go to Meribel for the British Championships. I have only done 1 giant slalom this season so i might look for a couple to compete in before going home.
19/12/05
Update from Alain
Madonna night slalom was strange for me, had great
training in Saalbach hinterglemm on injected snow
training with the fins.
I use differently prepared skis for different
conditions and made a wrong call in Madonna. The grip
I had on the ice wasn't ideal and when you don't get the
grip you need it's very hard to make the excelleration
from the start of the turn that you need to carry the
speed. The top part of the course was ok compared to
the guys around me, but after a couple of slides on the
lower section qualifying was gone!!
Since then I've done 2 Europa cup races one in Alta
Badia where i was 10th and got a 4th place in
Obereggen, both the same conditions as Madonna. My
service man, Andy, prepared the skis differently, more
for ice and I performed much better, think i'm now
ranked 16th in the Europe cup slalom standings.
I'm in Lofer at the moment preparing for Krajnska
Gora, Slovenia on the 22nd then the invitation dual
slalom in Pila, Italy on the night of the 23rd, then
flying home for xmas, hopefully after a couple of good
results to see out the year.
Merry Christmas
Alain
Check out FIS results by clicking here
2/12/05
Update from Alain
Had a good day today, was 3rd in a nor-am slalom in
Keystone(Colorado) started 30 and was 9th on the 1st run then
had the 2nd best time on 2nd run, check out the FIS
website for results, it was a long rough course and
been pissing snow for 3 days now
Typical start to the season in America, i've been training in
Loveland at 11000ft with some different teams, Croatia and Germany, my times have been good, also
been testing different set ups with equipment mainly
boots and bindings, a couple millimetres here and
there makes a huge difference especially on American
snow, its very dry and responsive so equiment reacts
very quickly. Most days after training on the hill I
spend about an hour and a half in the gym either
cycling or jogging for recovery for 30-45 mins, then
working on core and stretching. After dinner some
physio then just chilling out, watch a movie, get xmas
presents at the Outlet Stores then bowling or Cinema.
I'm racing Beaver Creek on Sunday then flying back to
Europe on Monday.
Cheers for now,
Alain
Check out FIS results by clicking here
01/11/05
Baxter Biography Announced
Unfinished Business, the authorised biography will be available from 17th November 2005.
Baxter learnt to ski on the slopes of Aviemore at the age of 4. By his mid-teens his talent was recognised, and his dream was to challenge for top honours in the sport. Today Baxter dreams of returning to the Olympic podium in Turin in February 2006, of climbing back up the world rankings to his rightful place, at the top of the tree.
Order your copy at:baxterbook@gmail.com
15/09/05
Update from Alain
I'm good just now, out in Argentina again in a place called Bariloche. Not as cold as it was a couple of months ago as it is spring time out here. Training going well and finding the new skis good.
I´ve got a biography coming out in next couple of months, more news about that later.
1/09/05
Baxter Moves to Volkl Skis for 2005/06 Season
Mastco the exclusive distributors of Volkl skis and Marker bindings in the UK are delighted to announce that Alain Baxter has committed to race on Volkl skis and Marker bindings through to the coming Winter Olympics and beyond .
Alain who has recently returned from training in Argentina is delighted to be joining the Volkl Marker International race team under the direction of Alain’s long time friend, Bernard Knauss. Ex World Professional Champion Knauss has been in discussion with Alain for some time and is over the moon to have Alain on board with Volkl /Marker and feels he processes the right balance of ability and attitude to become a successful member of the Volkl Team along side the likes of World Cup Winners Manfred Pranger, Alois Vogl and World Cup Slalom and Giant Slalom champion Tanja Poutiainen.
Everyone at Mastco and Volkl wishes Alain every success for the Olympics and the coming World Cup season.
15/08/05
Update from Alain
Just got back from 3 weeks training in Argentina. Was absolutely fantastic, was very cold and snowy. Temperature around minus 10/12. We have had all snow conditions here - ice, fresh snow, compact dry snow. We are living at sea level in the furthest south village in the World. Training is going well - knee and back both fine. Will be heading back to Aviemore soon, then back to Argentina for another training session.
09/06/05
Update from Alain
I am currently doing fitness training in Austria - arrived here on 30th May and will be here for 10 or 11 days. My knee is getting back to normal now - the physio I did with FASIC helped a lot and I'm skiing again at last.
Spend 3 days skiing, then 2 days technical work and 2 days gate training and have had no problems with either my knees or my back. We are now in Lofer and getting our new programme fixed up from the Scottish Institute of Sport. Will be heading back home to Aviemore about 11th or 12th June and will spend a few days there.
We are planning to head to Argentina next for some winter snow. I plan to spend 3 weeks there on snow. I have never been there before but we are going to try something new - winter snow but not so high. We will be living at sea level.
Just about to go for a cycle in the Austrian rain. Will update more later.
Alain
12/04/05
Update from Alain
Still in recovery following keyhole surgery on my knee last month. I have been spending a lot of time at FASIC, which is the Fitness Assessment and Sports Injuries Clinic at Edinburgh University. I have been getting intense physio there 4 days a week, 8 hours a day switching between physio and training. It has been absolutely fantastic. My back is still a bit iffy but I am back in Aviemore just now doing my own training programme and getting physio every 2nd day.
22/03/05
Baxter Finishes Season Early - Update from Alain
I'm back at home in Aviemore after finishing the season early due to injury. The disc in my back has been playing up so I had to go to the Olympic Medical Institute in London to get it checked out. While I was there I got my knees checked too and ended up having some keyhole surgery on my knee and getting cartilage removed. It's the first time I have had an operation and I was on crutches for a few days. Now I am at home recuperating and it will be at least a month before I can start training again. I'm really disappointed that I missed the last races and the British Champs and had to cut my season short. However I am now going to take it easy for a while until I get my full range back. Thanks for all the posts on the guest book congratulating me on my Superstars win. Unfortunately I won't be able to make any appearances, etc until I am fully recovered. The site will be updated soon with some new photos.
All the best,
Alain
14/02/05
Baxter Crowned Superstars King
Report from www.bbc.co.uk
Skiing star Alain Baxter saw off a top-quality field to be crowned Superstars champion of 2005.
Baxter, runner-up to Du'aine Ladejo last year, reversed the positions - clinching victory with second place in the gym tests.
The Scot won three events in total - the 100m sprint, kayaking and the mountain bike competition - where he set a new Superstars record.
Baxter had 38 points, ahead of Ladejo (36.5) and rower Steve Williams (23).
MEN'S FINAL: (27 February)
1 Alain Baxter (skiing) 38
2 Du'aine Ladejo (athetics) 36.5
3 Steve Williams (rowing) 23
4 Adam Hollioake (cricket) 22
5 Jason Queally (cycling) 16
6 Iwan Thomas (athletics) 13.5
7 John Regis (athletics) 13
8 Jamie Baulch (athletics) 11
9 Marlon Devonish (athletics) 10
10Chris Rawlinson (athletics) 8
12/02/05
Baxter Finishes 16th at World Champs, Bormio (Sun 12th Feb)
Report from www.racer-ready.co.uk
Both Alain and Noel Baxter attacked the Stelvio course on the last day of the World Alpine Skiing Championships and were rewarded with encouraging results. Alain equalling the result he scored four years ago in St Anton with 16th place, Noel making 21st and James Leuzinger finishing in 24th.
The soft snow conditions made it treacherous on the first run and all three British racers defied the odds to make it down. “I made a few mistakes on the first run,” commented Alain Baxter after he had qualified for the second run in 30th place. Running first for the second run gave Alain a clear course on which to attack. “My second run felt fast,” reflected Alain “but as soon as I saw Aamodt beat my time I knew that it was not going to be good enough.” With the conditions worsening on the second run Baxter’s time held in there and whilst happy Baxter rued what could have been a better day.
Alain will now head home to Aviemore on Tuesday for rest and will start preparing for the remaining World Cup races and then the British Championships in March in Meribel. The next World Cup race takes place on 27 February in Kranjska Gora.
07/02/05
Baxter Storms Superstars
Alain came out on top last night in BBC Superstars, beating off stiff competition from other leading athletes to come first in his heat. Competitors James Hickman (swimming), Steve Williams (rowing), Bradley Wiggins (cycling), Michael Bevan (cricket), Doddie Weir (rugby union), Iwan Thomas (athletics) and Amir Khan (boxing) all went head to head with Alain in events as diverse as football, cycling, gym tests and shotput. Alain showed what a fantastic all round athlete he is by storming ahead of the others - he had already qualified for the final before the last event. Support Alain in the final on Sunday 20th February at 5.45pm (BBC1).
05/02/05
Europa Cup Result
Alain was 17th in the Europa Cup Slalom today in Veysonnaz, Switzerland.
04/02/05
Update From Alain
I'm in Austria just now. Just spent 2 good days training with the Japanese guys. We have just had a metre of snow (all the roads here are closed!) but the guys working here are amazing and work so hard to create perfect conditions for us to train.
I'm feeling really good just now and just hope I can carry that feeling into the World Champs race next Saturday. I have been having problems doing that this season, i don't consciously do it, it's like a mental block. However I have had this problem before and managed to overcome it so I need to overcome it again.
I will be competing in the Europa Cup slalom in Veysonnaz, Switzerland on Saturday then back to Pozza in Italy to train before Saturday 12th - the World Championships Slalom in Bormio. I'm feeling really positive about the World Champs.
I felt quite good at the slalom in Schladming on Tuesday but I straddled, which was pretty typical as I felt I was skiing fast but straddled before I reached a split time. I have been doing 1 days GS training and 2 days slalom as well as a bit of biking and some weights in the gym (but not too many).
The World Cup finals are looking pretty dodgy for me now. I would need to podium in the next World Cup in Kranjska Gora and pull out a couple of fantastic results. It's been a tough season. Slalom has really changed - there are now about 70 guys who can ski really really fast. Before there was only maybe 20 or 30 - the field is just so strong just now and the equipment so good. Everything has gone up a notch and before I could have a bad day and still get a result, this doesn't happen now. However I have made FIS points this season from other FIS races and Europa Cup races so my world ranking will still be reasonably secure, even though I haven't scored many points in World Cup races.
Was home in Aviemore just after Schladming with my girlfriend. Had a fantastic time. Played golf in Aviemore for first time in the Winter and went up the funicular at Cairngorm. Was great to see so many people up Cairngorm even though the conditions were not too great. I was especially happy to see so many kids training.
25/01/05
FIS Men's World Cup Slalom, Schladming
More bad luck for Alain in tonight's night slalom in Schladming. Alain was one of 27 competitors who did not finish the 1st run. The race was won by Manfred Pranger, his second world cup win this week. Noel Baxter managed to finish in 41st position from his start number of 70th, although not enought to qualify for 2nd run.
Alain now heads home to Aviemore for a 5 day break which he he admits he is looking forward to. There is just one more World Cup race left in Kranjska Gora before the World Cup Finals in Lenzerheide at the beginning of March. Alain may manage to get an important result there and salvage something from this season, having gained only 4 points in World Cup slalom so far this season.
23/01/05
FIS Men's World Cup Slalom, Kitzbuhel
After the cancellation of the Super G on Friday and Downhill on Saturday due to bad weather conditions, Sunday's World Cup Slalom looked in doubt. However Sunday morning in Kitzbuhel saw clear blue skies and the Austrian army had been out in force overnight preparing the Ganslern piste to race perfect condition.
Alain was the only British racer in Kitzbuhel with Noel Baxter choosing to race in two Europa cups in France instead. However although Alain felt good coming into the race he was not quick enough to qualify for the second run, finishing 46th out of 82 competitors and +2.66 after leader, Manfred Pranger.
Alain headed back to the british training camp in Lofer immediately after the race, which was won by Austrian Manfred Pranger, his first world cup win. Alain admitted that he skied badly today. "I have been skiing well in training and got a 5th and 8th place in the European cup three days ago but I just cant seem to get it together for the World Cup races this season."
Alain now heads off to the World Cup Slalom in Schladming in 2 days time then goes home to Aviemore for 5 days. Alain is looking foward to his break: "5 days home is a long time for me to come home during the season and Im really looking forward to it. I havent been home for months as I went to Portugal over Christmas."
22/01/05
Alain Opens Dale Boot Store in Kitzbuhel
The new Dale Boot store in Kitzbuhel, Austria was officially opened today by Alain Baxter and his British team mate, Finlay Mickel. Alain chatted and posed for photos with guests and representatives from Vist clothing, who sponsor the British ski team.
Both Alain and Finlay had travelled over from the British training camp in Lofer for the opening. Finlay had missed out on the morning's World Cup downhill - the race was cancelled due to bad weather conditions. Although disappointed Finlay commented that the Alps were in desperate need of snow and they had certainly got some now, so from that perspective he was happy.
Reflecting on the season so far Alain knows that he desperately needs to get some important World Cup results, having scored points in just one World Cup race this season (all other results either not qualifying for second run or not finishing the first run). Alain had spent the morning training for the World Cup slalom, due to take place in Kitzbuhel the following day (Sunday). He planned to get up at 6am on Sunday, go for a run, then head to Kitzbuhel for the race. Alain goes in to race in a strong position after a 5th and 8th place results in the Europa Cup slaloms earlier in the week.
20/01/05
European Cup Results
Alain got an amazing 5th place in today's European Cup Slalom in Mellau, AUT. He was also 8th in yesterday's European Cup Slalom.
19/01/05
Return of the Superstars
Alain Baxter will take on top athletes such as Olympic boxer Amir Khan (17 years old) and swimmer James Hickman in the second series of BBC Superstars now screening. 40 top athletes competing for glory in TV's ultimate sporting challenge and Alain will be aiming for the top. In the last series Alain put in an amazing performance and came second overall.
This year's series of Superstars features a men's, women's and, for the first time, a masters competition.
The masters' winner goes to the final, along with the top two from three men's heats and one women's showdown.
Here is the schedule of heats. (All 1745 GMT, Sundays). Alain's heat is on Sunday 6th February.
MASTERS: (16 January)
1: John Regis (athletics) 31 Qualifies for final
2: Jonathan Davies (rugby) 27
3: Mark Foster (swimming) 25
4: Ellery Hanley (rugby league) 25
5: Brian Robson (football) 19
6: Barry McGuigan (boxing) 15
7: John Barnes (football) 14
8: Martin Offiah (rugby league) 9
MEN:
Heat 1 (23 January)
Du'aine Ladejo (athletics)
Adam Hollioake (cricket)
Richard Johnson (horse racing)
Chris Hoy (cycling)
Stephen Parry (swimming)
James Toseland (superbikes)
Chris Rawlinson (athletics)
Nathan Robertson (badminton)
Heat 2 (30 January)
Jamie Baulch (athletics)
James Gibson (swimming)
Ralph Firman (motor racing)
Matthew Stevens (snooker)
Marlon Devonish (athletics)
Leon Taylor (diving)
Jason Queally (cycling)
Ed Coode (rowing)
Heat 3 (6 February)
Alain Baxter (skiing)
James Hickman (swimming)
Steve Williams (rowing)
Bradley Wiggins (cycling)
Michael Bevan (cricket)
Doddie Weir (rugby union)
Iwan Thomas (athletics)
Amir Khan (boxing)
WOMEN: (13 February)
Denise Lewis (athletics)
Zoe Baker (swimming)
Sonia O'Sullivan (athletics)
Gail Emms (badminton)
Katherine Grainger (rowing)
Georgina Harland (modern pentathlon)
Lesley McKenna (snowboarding)
Helen Reeves (kayak)
FINAL: (20 February)
17/1/05
Both Baxters Out in Controversial Slalom
The fast flowing course set for the first run of the 5th Men's World Cup Slalom did not suit Alain Baxter. Whilst Canadian Thomas Grandi excelled to lead the first run, Britain's best was not on his game. In the last four years, Baxter has placed in the top 20 on each occasion, with a best of 7th in 2001. High hopes were held for him after the turn of events in Chamonix last week. It was not to be his day.
Out of the start gate things looked promising, attacking from the outside; at the seventh gate Alain's rhythm was upset, the outside ski flew up in the air and from there on things were not as smooth as before. “He just seemed to lose it after the 7th gate,” commented Konrad Bartelski. By the mid section split, Alain was hanging on for the ride but falling further and further off the pace. By the bottom a fifth successive finish at Wengen was out of the question and he slotted into 35th that would drop to 42 at the end of the run. No qualification for the second run.
Alain just did not have the rhythm. He knows he can ski much better than he did today but some days it does not flow. Ask revitalised Japanese star, Kentaro Minagawa: Minagawa failed to finish a single race last year and this year has fought his way back up the start list with some impressive results.
The race was won in controversial circumstances by Alois Vogl of Germany. With leader of the Slalom World Cup, Giorgio Rocca down in the finish and looking like he was heading for another win, the jury informed him that he had skied over and not round a gate, an illegal manoeuvre and thus disqualifying him. Rocca and his coach checked the video to make sure this was correct.
With the World Championships approaching fast, Racer Ready will soon be posting news and views about the races on the www.racer-ready.co.uk!
Article from www.racer-ready.co.uk
09/01/05
Alain Wins First World Cup Points
Alain Baxter won his first World Cup points of the season today in Chamonix (FRA). He came 27th in the men's World Cup slalom.
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