Cypress Mountain holds fond memories for Scott Kneller. The 20-year-old ski cross racer made his first final at the Olympic venue 12 months ago, ultimately finishing in a career-best 15th place.

Along the way, he accounted for two World Cup winners in his round of 32 heat.

Kneller’s 2009/10 season has been marred by injury, however.

He broke his collarbone at the start of January in St Johann, and comes to the Games with no competitions under his belt since that time.

But he goes into tomorrow’s event in a very positive frame of mind.

“I was skiing well before the injury, and after skiing (the course) today, I’m pretty confident.”

“I’m really optimistic. I did well on this track last year.”

“The start’s interesting, not like anything I’ve seen before. I’m a big fan actually. It will separate everyone and means no poling or skating at the start.”

“It’s so much fun. It’s bigger and better than anything I’ve skied before.”

The result is tough to predict, with five skiers making the top of the podium in seven World Cup events this season.

Canada’s strong medal chances have been hit by the loss to injury this week of one of their three top ten athletes, but Chris Delbosco, currently ranked third in the world, has won twice in the last month.

The Americans are also strong, with former alpine racers Daron Rahlves and Casey Puckett ranked tenth and eleventh, in spite of missing three events.

Four time World Cup champion Tomas Kraus of the Czech Republic will go in as the best credentialed man in the field, while current World Cup leader Michael Schmid is the form skier, with two wins and five other top five placings his return from the season so far.

Add in current world number two Andreas Matt from Austria and France’s Xavier Kuhn, and the result is something of a lottery.

But then it often is in the head-to-head world of ski cross.

Schedule:

Qualification 9:15-10:15
Finals 12:15-13:30

Barry White
AOC - Cypress