Slovenia takes team event at Junior Worlds

The Slovene team took the first 11 of 12 match-ups at the FIS World Junior Ski Championships at Roccaraso, Italy today (March 5) to reel in the Team Event title in a walk.

The Slovene team, consisting of Ula Hafner, Zan Kranjec, Ana Bucik and Misel Zerak swept France in the first heat to easily move through to the semi-final. There the Austrian squad encountered a bit of bad luck with one late start and a crash and succumbed 4-0 to the Slovenes.

That brought the team up against the Italians but the home-standing group quickly found themselves down 3-0. The crowd got to enjoy a home win in the last match-up, but it was too little, too late.

Italy got second and the Swiss team third.

A total of eight teams participated. The U.S. was not one of them. Canada lost to Austria in the first heat.

Norway fell to the Swiss which went on to narrowly get past Austria for the bronze medal. Italy had taken Germany in a tie-breaker (best time) after a two-two split in the opening round.

The women shift to the speed events this week with the men taking over the technical courses.