Gerg rockets to super G win in Veysonnaz; Lalive, Ludlow lead the way for U.S.

Gerg rockets to super G win in Veysonnaz; Lalive, Ludlow lead the way for U.S.Germany’s Hilde Gerg won her first race of the World Cup season Sunday after rival Renate Goetschl fell near the top of the super G course in Veysonnaz.

Gerg, a former super G World Cup champion who had not won a race since December 2002 and missed much of last season due to injury, pushed two other Austrians on to the lower steps of the podium.

Former overall World Cup champion Michaela Dorfmeister was second, 0.24 seconds behind Gerg’s time of 1:21.34, and Silvia Berger took third, 0.76 back.

For the U.S., Caroline Lalive was tops in 11th place with Libby Ludlow 14th. Kirsten Clark was 24th and Jonna Mendes tied for 27th.

Lindsey Kildow was a DNF; she crashed into the nets, bringing a 10-minute course hold, but was not thought to be seriously injured.

Said Ludlow, “This is my best result in a World Cup, my first top 15! It feels really good. Normally I like [harder snow], but I am really happy. This should get me back in the top 30 starters.”

The top North American in the race was Canada’s Genevieve Simard, who matched the second-best finish of her World Cup career in sixth. Also in the points for Canada was Emily Brydon in 17th.

Goetschl, who won the downhill here on Saturday, slid into the safety netting after falling but got up quickly, apparently unhurt. Her crash allowed Swede Anja Paerson to extend her lead at the top of the overall standings. Paerson is a technical specialist but earned a useful 13 points by finishing 18th on Sunday.

“It is my first victory since my injury [last season], so it is nice to be back,” said Gerg, who needed surgery on a left knee injury last year, and had her right leg completely rebuilt after a bad training crash four years ago.

“It is important to try to go to the limit in the super G and today I think it was a nearly perfect run,” Gerg said. “I have everything for a party — the winner’s plate, some wine and a check, but I have no time because I go home today then sleep a little bit then go to Cortina so we will have to wait for the party.”

Alpine World Cup

Women’s Super G

Veysonnaz, Switzerland

January 11, 2004

1. Hilde Gerg (Germany) 1:21.34

2. Michaela Dorfmeister (Austria) 1:21.58

3. Silvia Berger (Austria) 1:22.10

4. Ingrid Jacquemod (France) 1:22.14

5. Carole Montillet (France) 1:22.35

6. Genevieve Simard (Canada) 1:22.57

7. Alexandra Meissnitzer (Austria) 1:22.68

8= Martina Ertl (Germany) 1:22.71

8= Nadia Styger (Switzerland) 1:22.71

10. Brigitte Obermoser (Austria) 1:22.89

11. Caroline Lalive (U.S.) 1:22.92

12. Martina Lechner (Austria) 1:23.05

13. Maria Riesch (Germany) 1:23.07

14. Libby Ludlow (U.S.) 1:23.09

15. Katja Wirth (Austria) 1:23.13

16. Lucia Recchia (Italy) 1:23.14

17. Emily Brydon (Canada) 1:23.15

18. Anja Paerson (Sweden) 1:23.16

19. Fraenzi Aufdenblatten (Switzerland) 1:23.20

20. Barbara Kleon (Italy) 1:23.23

21. Melanie Suchet (France) 1:23.26

22. Daniela Ceccarelli (Italy) 1:23.28

23. Kathrin Wilhelm (Austria) 1:23.26

23. Kirsten Clark (U.S.) 1:23.42

25. Tanja Schneider (Austria) 1:23.50

26. Magda Mattel (France) 1:23.73

27=. Jonna Mendes (U.S.) 1:23.89

27= Isabelle Huber (Germany) 1:23.89

29. Isolde Kostner (Italy) 1:23.90

30. Alexandra Coletti (Italy) 1:23.99.

Other North Americans:

34. Kelly Vanderbeek (Canada) 1:24.17

DNF: Anne Marie LeFrancois (Canada), Lindsey Kildow (U.S.)

THE SCOOP

> by Hank McKee

Equipment, Women’s Super G

Veysonnaz, Switzerland, January 11, 2004

Skier, skis/boots/bindings

1 Gerg, Volkl/Lange/Marker

2 Dorfmeister, Blizzard/Nordica/Marker

3 Berger, Fischer/Tecnica/Tyrolia

4 Jacquemod, Dynastar/Lange/Look

5 Montillet, Rossignol/Rossignol/Rossignol

6 Simard, Rossignol/Rossignol/Rossignol

7 Meissnitzer, Volkl/Tecnica/Marker

8 Ertl, Rossignol/Nordica/Rossignol

8 Styger, Salomon/Salomoon/Salomon

10 Obermoser, Blizzard/Tecnica/Marker

The 16th of 36 scheduled women’s races, and third of eight super G’s. …

Hilde Gerg gets her 17th career win for Hilde Gerg, and seventh in SG. … It’s her first win since December 2002. … In seven races this season (four DH, three SG) she has not placed worse than fifth. … She was second in the Veysonnaz DH the day before. … It is the 42nd SG win for Germany.

The 43rd podium finish for Michael Dorfmeister and 13th in SG. … It’s her fifth podium of the season without a win. … She has been second four times this season, and twice in the past two days. … It’s the second career podium for Silvia Berger, the other a second at Val d’Isere in GS 12/9/1999. … Her next best result this season is 11th in the Megeve SG.

An 11th-place finish moves Caroline Lalive into 10th in the SG standings for the season. … She has been consistent in SG this season, finishing 15-10-11 for the three held to date. … Libby Ludlow got her first and second scoring finish of the season in consecutive starts. … It’s the 11th scoring finish of the season for Kirsten Clark, but disappointing in that she had been fourth and sixth in the other two SG’s. … First SG points of the season for Jonna Mendes, and first scoring finish since 12/20.

Genevieve Simard has her second-best career finish, behind only a third in GS at Berchtesgaden 1/19/02. … Easily her best of the season, eclipsing a 14th (Alta Badia GS). … It’s the seventh scoring finish of the season for Emily Brydon.

Anja Paerson (18th in the super G) maintains lead in overall standings 752-573 over Renate Goetschl (DNF). … The top American is Kirsten Clark in ninth at 314. … Michaela Dorfmeister leads the super G standings 220-205 over Hilde Gerg. … Clark is sixth at 97.

Austria maintains Nations Cup lead 7795-2254 over Italy. … USA is third at 1927. … Austria leads women’s standings 3274-1625 over Germany. … USA is fourth at 1054.