Sad start to ski season

BBC Ski Sunday commentator Matt Chilton says the skiing world is missing some of its best stars.

Despite the excitement and anticipation building towards the 2001/2002 ski racing season, the tragic and untimely death of Regine Cavagnoud continues to be the main topic of conversation.

The whole sorry affair looks set to run and run with Austrian officials now considering whether or not to prosecute Regine's coach for negligence.

Let us hope the matter is brought to a swift conclusion.

On a personal note, I knew and admired Regine.

Cavagnoud will be greatly missed, says Chilton

She spoke little English but as a fluent French speaker I have always got on well with the French team.

We shared a hotel at the 1999 World Ski Championships in Vail, Colorado, where Regine was injured in training.

She was warm and friendly, although she never appeared to be completely comfortable in the media spotlight.

The incredible scenes at the tiny church in her home village of La Clusaz show how highly she was regarded, not only as an athlete but as a person too.

Baxter's bid

Accidents have unfortunately been commonplace in the pre-season build up.

We all know about Hermann Maier, who is struggling to make an Olympic comeback. Fellow Austrians Werner Franz and Hannes Trinkl are also out of action at the moment.

The reigning Olympic slalom champion Hans-Petter Buraas of Norway is sidelined with a worrying spinal injury...a problem which emerged after a seemingly minor fall.

And the women's World Cup slalom champion Janica Kostelic is back on crutches.

With various others on the sick list, it will be a rather depleted Alpine World Cup which finally reaches cruising speed in Val d'Isere, France.

No such worries for The Highlander.

Baxter is Britain's brightest hope

Britain's Alain Baxter has already hit the target this season with a 15th spot in in the first of two slaloms held in Aspen, Colorado.

Only 15th!!! It's a strong start which would have made headlines a year ago!

Alain will have plenty of chances to shine and will certainly be looking forward to tackling the steep, icy courses of Kitzbuhel, Wengen and Schladming in the new year.

Follow his progress closely on Ski Sunday.

And remember, we are back on at tea-time for most of the ski season...1630 GMT or thereabouts as part of Sunday Grandstand.

If it's a wet, cold and miserable afternoon, or even if it's not...allow us to transport you to the mountains of Europe and the USA, to the Alps and to the Rockies for high speed, high altitude, high adrenalin racing.

Be there with us.