Plege und Gesundheit der Hunde » enough from rookie Manor

KRANJSKA GORA, Slovenia -- Benjamin Raich has reached a World Cup podium for the 91st -- and probably last -- time in his career at the same resort where he earned his first top-three finish 15 years ago. The 36-year-old Austrian, who is considering retirement after the season, came runner-up to Olympic champion Ted Ligety in a giant slalom on the Podkoren course on Saturday. As a 21-year-old, Raich finished third in a slalom here on Jan. 6, 1999. Raich was only 17th after the opening leg but posted the fastest time in a blistering second run to get his first World Cup podium since winning a super-G in Crans Montana Switzerland, in February 2012. Raich said he never lost faith in his skiing despite failing to reach a podium for the last two years. Even his persistent back problems getting worse in January didnt hit his confidence. "I knew I still have a fast turn but, if youre not in good health, you cant race that good," Raich said. "Ive always had back problems in my career. Three, four days, then it was gone. This year it was more than a month." The injury hampered his buildup to the Sochi Olympics, and finally forced him to skip the super-combined race in Sochi. It wasnt Raichs first mishap in the Olympic season. He needed weeks to recover following an accident while riding his off-road motorbike in early August. The 80-kilogram bike rolled over on steep terrain and landed on his right leg, but Raich escaped with a torn muscle in his thigh. "I had a really tough season," Raich said. "It was not easy, it was not fun. But after preparing for the Olympics, I had a really good feeling. I was in good health. And now I am back on the podium -- as I believed." Raich won the overall title in 2006 and finished runner-up five times, including in the 2008-09 season when Aksel Lund Svindal edged him by two points. Raich also won 11 medals at major championships, including two golds at the 2006 Turin Olympics. Not having to prove anything to anybody, Raich can compete without pressure -- just like in the early days of his career. "My first podium in Kranjska Gora, I felt very free," Raich said. "Afterward you have big goals and you know everyone wants to see you on the podium. So there was more pressure then but I handled that always very well." Austria mens head coach Mathias Berthold said he wasnt taken aback by Raichs podium finish. "I was only surprised by the way he did it, coming from 17th with a sensational second run," Berthold said. "Since his back problems are gone, he has progressed extremely well." Berthold said he will speak with Raich about next season -- but not before the current campaign is over. "We let the World Cup finals go by," Berthold said. "Its not good to discuss long-term plans while your focus should be on a race the next day." Raich has said before that he will take his decision regardless of the career plans of longterm girlfriend Marlies Schild. The 32-year-old slalom specialist won a record 35th slalom race in December, and she is also yet to decide whether shell remain on the World Cup. Norways Henrik Kristoffersen, who trailed the 17-year-older Raich in third for his first career GS podium, said Raich was his idol when following ski racing as a kid. "I think today Benni was the most impressive skier," Kristoffersen said. "I watched him when I grew up and I remember my dad (Lars Kristoffersen) telling me that Benni had the cleanest turn and he was the best in GS." Raich smiled when hearing Kristoffersens words. "Its nice to be on the podium next to him," Raich said. "Because he is the future and I am the past." Philadelphia Phillies Shirts . The Asheville, N.C. native, who signed as a free agent with the CFL club last May, didnt see any action with Edmonton this season after opening the year on the injured list. Cheap Phillies Jerseys . 15-23, the Ottawa Senators will by hoping to avoid going five straight games without a victory for the first time since a 0-3-2 drought from Oct. https://www.cheapphilliesjerseys.us/.com) - Eric Fehrs goal 42 seconds into overtime lifted the Washington Capitals to a 5-4 come-from-behind victory over Columbus, halting the Blue Jackets seven-game win streak. Fake Phillies Jerseys . -- John Senden never imagined it would take more than seven years to win again. Stitched Phillies Jerseys . The 2010 batting champ showed what he can do when hes mostly healthy. Gonzalez homered, doubled and singled in his return to the lineup, and the Colorado Rockies snapped a five-game losing streak with a 13-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday night.F1 pundit Johnny Herbert is backing Lewis Hamilton to record a third consecutive Bahrain Grand Prix win this weekend. The Sky Sports F1 analyst successfully tipped 9/4 shot Nico Rosberg to land the season opener in Australia for Mercedes, his fourth successive race win, but believes it is Hamiltons turn to top the podium under the floodlights at Bahrains Sakhir circuit on Sunday.Herbert said: Lewis was the fastest man in every session in Melbourne, except the race. This weekend I expect him to put that right and take what would be a third consecutive Bahrain GP win. Hes still the man to catch, even if his poor start last time out allowed his team mate to take the spoils. Herberts Tips Johnnys backing Nico Hulkenberg to secure a top six finish in Bahrain at odds of 2/1 with Sky Bet Although Nico Hulkenberg narrowly missed out at Albert Park, Herbert still believes the Forcce India driver can secure a top-six finish this weekend, and is backing the German to do so at odds of 2/1.ddddddddddddHerbert added: The red flag in Australia cost Nico a chance to finish in the top six, so fingers crossed that he gets some better luck this weekend. Force India traditionally go well in Bahrain, so its time for the Hulk to let rip in the desert!The F1 pundit also saw enough from rookie Manor driver Pascal Wehrlein to suggest he could finish in the points at odds of 22/1 with Sky Bet. You might think Im crazy but the long straights in Bahrain will suit the Mercedes engine that Manor are using this season, and the young German showed on his debut in Australia that hes good enough to spring a surprise or two this season, said Herbert.With brake wear likely to be an issue for many of the cars, could a few retirements allow Wehrlein to bag his first points in F1?Johnny Herberts Charity tips this season are supporting Sporting Memories. Also See: Bahrain GP talking points Hamilton must be listened to ' ' '