Alice Robinson and Henrik Kristoffersen made strong starts to the new FIS World Cup season as the duo both scored second-place finishes in the Giant Slalom event in Sölden, Austria. Here is all you need to know:
– Starting in bib two, Robinson put down an impressive first run as she dominated the steep upper section before losing a little time on the flatter section of the piste to sit in second position behind American powerhouse Mikaela Shiffrin.
– With the start order reversed for run two, Robinson had to deal with a course that was starting to deteriorate in condition due to the 28 athletes who had gone before her.
– The New Zealander was still able to deliver a blistering run as she used her strength to maintain a quick line down the bumpy course, eventually finishing just 0.17 seconds behind winner Federica Brignone of Italy.
– Robinson, 22, said: “I always struggle a little bit when the conditions were like they were in the second run, quite bumpy and really a lot of moisture in the snow. So, I was really happy that I kept really solid and skated a decent run, and that kept me in a position for a podium.”
– Having now finished as runner-up in four of her past five Giant Slalom races, Robinson will be targeting the top step of the podium next week when racing returns to Killington in the USA.
– In Sunday’s men’s event, Kristoffersen pushed hard during his second run on the steep Rettenbach glacier and secured his best-ever result in Sölden, finishing 0.65 seconds behind fellow Norwegian Steen Olsen.
– Kristoffersen, the 2019 Giant Slalom world champion, said: “A very good day skiing, really good in the pitch. Both runs lost a bit of time on the flat but better than in previous years.”
– There was also an impressive performance from Lucas Pinheiro Braathen who missed out on a podium place by less than three-tenths of a second. Competing in Brazilian colours after a year out, Braathen even danced the samba after taking the early lead on run two.
– Braathen, 24, said: “Ten seconds ahead of starting on the first run, for the first time in my life, I smiled before I dropped in. I’ve never, ever done that before. And that’s when I realized I’m back where I belong. I was able to ski with my heart today and when you let me go I can achieve great things.”
– Alpine skiing legend Marcel Hirscher also made a comeback in Dutch colours instead of his former Austrian status. The 35-year-old made a tentative start after five years out but showed signs of improvement on his second run as he finished in 23rd place.
– Hirscher, who won a record eight consecutive overall World Cup crystal globes, said: “The last five years I was laying on the couch on Sölden weekend. I mean, it’s not too bad to be on the couch and to see the race on TV, but it is way better to be here and, yeah the second run was maybe one of the most emotional results or moments in my whole career. After five years away from ski racing it is a lot of work to be back, and it means a lot to me. It’s just great to be part of the racing community again.”
Highlights – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZC3fASV63A
Image courtesy of Red Bull
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