Biggs produces top World Cup slalom result since 2005 in Croatia

Biggs was the second Canadian behind Michael Janyk in sixth place, ahead of four other countrymen in a field of 83 competitors.

The 27-year-old was also painfully close to a top-12 finish – the result he needs to post twice in his next five races to be considered for the 2010 Canadian Olympic team – missing the coveted 12th position by just two-tenths of a second with a two-run combined time of one minute, 51.85 seconds.

The last time Biggs cracked the top-20 at a World Cup was in December 2005 in Beaver Creek, CO, which helped him earn a spot for the 2006 Torino Olympics.

Biggs is considered an underdog to make the Canadian team for the 2010 Vancouver Games – younger skiers were chosen ahead of him to compete in last year’s world championships – but solid results in his past two races will at least aid in the quest towards future top-12s thanks to the improved starting position they earn him.

“I have confidence in my plan. I believe it will happen,” Biggs wrote on his blog prior to the Zagreb World Cup. “With the majority of races coming up in January, I’m feeling confident that things are moving in the right direction.

“The consistency I’ve lacked in the past is now a thing of the past. With the consistency in place, I feel I’m growing more confident and faster with every run.”

A replay of Biggs’ race will be shown tonight on Sportsnet at 7 p.m.