Featured Image: Sestriere women’s GS podium. Credit: GEPA
The race was extremely tight after a very competitive first run in the Sestriere World Cup giant slalom. Just one second separated the top 15 racers, with a mere 0.07 seconds between the top three.
Alice Robinson was leading after a very aggressive initial run. The New Zealander arced from tip to tail, gaining more speed between each panel. Nevertheless, she knew she had to step on the gas even harder in the second run to clinch the victory.
Unfortunately, Robinson leaned in slightly in the initial turns, getting pushed a little late. She had to fight to make up time through the rest of the course, which she gave it her all. But Federica Brignone’s dominating second run proved challenging to beat for Robinson.
Brignone achieved back-to-back wins in front of her local crowd, which was the first time she has achieved consecutive wins on home snow.
“I am surprised; today was just amazing, and on the second run I felt the crowd all over the slope cheering for me. It was an incredible feeling,” Brignone explained.
The Italian beat her own record, achieving seven victories in one season, and it marked her 34th World Cup win.
Brignone stated, “I tried my best in the second run and the visibility was not so cool, but I tried to attack all over.”
Podium
Lara Gut-Behrami was in second coming into the final GS run. The reigning overall and GS World Cup Standings winner aimed to achieve her first GS victory of the season.
The Swiss athlete’s second run was flawless and technically strong. She was pushing the limit through each critical section and attacked the pitch. However, it was not enough to beat Brignone’s time.
Gut-Behrami finished the day in 2nd place, +0.77 off the lead.
Before the second run Robinson stated, “I really want to focus on myself in the second run and try to execute the things I want to execute. Not worry to much about what others are doing, so I am going to try and not watch to much and just focus on the skiing and try to put down one really good last run on this hill.”
Alice Robinson rounded out the podium, +0.79 behind Brignone’s dominating finish. The 23-year-old has been on six out of the seven podiums this season in GS.
She still maintains the top of the giant slalom World Cup standings, 40 points ahead of Brignone.
Sofia Goggia’s Second Run Full-Send
Sofia Goggia was +1.19 off the lead in 17th position after the first run. Nonetheless, the Italian did not let that shake her and went full send on the second run. She accelerated on the pitch and carried that speed into the lower flat section.
She came through with a dominating lead, moving up 13 places to conclude the day just off the podium in 4th place.
Britt Richardson Goes Out
Britt Richardson delivered an outstanding performance in her initial run, securing a spot in the top 3 as she approached the second round. This could have been her first podium finish on the World Cup circuit; however, she unfortunately leaned in at the start of the course and was unable to regain her balance.
Although Richardson did not complete the race, she remains a formidable competitor in the sport.
North Americans
Elisabeth Bocock of the Stifel US Ski Team was the first North American to kick out of the start, achieving 24th position in the first run.
In her second run, she was focused on gaining speed through each turn, attacking the panels. Unfortunately, she leaned in too much and ended up sideways on the pitch. However, with an impressive recovery, Bocock managed to maintain speed to push through the final turns.
Bocock concluded the day in 23rd place. This matched her best finish of her World Cup career.
Her teammate Nina O’Brien was the next North American. Unfortunately, she got caught in a grove coming off the top flatter section and got kicked out of the course. After straddling the next gate, she skied out, seeming to be unharmed.
The third Stifel US Ski Team athlete was AJ Hurt. Hurt came into the second run a second out from Robinson’s lead.
She knew she had to push it to the limit to move up in the top 15. However, she lost time on the lower pitch and in the final gates. Hurt was able to conclude the day in 7th place, her sixth top 10 on the World Cup circuit.
Paula Moltzan charged out of the start gate, but in the initial turns she leaned in and got pushed late and low. She recovered nicely but had to work hard to make up the time. She was neck and neck with Goggia’s leading time through the middle section but lost speed on the pitch. Moltzan finished the day in 8th place.
Valerie Grenier of Alpine Canada Alpin was +0.57 behind the lead heading into the second run. Sadly, she got a little late and sideways, getting kicked out of the course. She slid down slightly but was able to get up and ski down.
Other Highlights
Lisa Nyberg was the highest bib number to qualify for the second, charging from bib 57. This season, Nyberg achieved her second-best World Cup finish in the Kranjska Gora giant slalom, finishing in 13th place. Although she did not match her personal best, she was able to gain more points on the circuit, finishing with a 16th-place result.
Lena Dürr of Germany was 23rd after the first run and was looking to move up on the second run. The veteran was technically composed, which helped her gain speed through the middle sections and the pitch. Dürr moved up eight places and ended the day in 15th place.
Top 3 Analysis
Top 30 First Run Results
North Americans in the Top 30
About the Author: Ellie Hartman
