INTERVIEW - Rachel Atherton, Timed Training Leogang

Rachel Atherton, fresh off a stress-filled World Cup DH weekend in Fort William where a broken chain ruined her chances for victory, went fastest in timed training by a considerable margin in Leogang today. While timed training has no official bearing on World Cup results, her 10-second dent on the second-fastest woman in timed training, Tracey Hannah, has significance. Rachel describes the weight of her stress and anxiety leading into the race at Fort William. She felt an extreme amount of pressure to perform well as she was injury-free and on home soil. The previously mentioned broken chain, something out of her control, cost her the win, but resulted in a spectacular and unforgettable 3rd-place run. The experience seems to have provided some kind of clarity as Rachel is taking Leogang on with a casual approach. If today's results are any indication of what race day may bring, we could be in for another streak of Rachel domination...no pressure, of course. -Interview and photo by Sven Martin