Italian Saracco wins Longines Future Ski Champions

By Published On: December 23rd, 2014Comments Off on Italian Saracco wins Longines Future Ski Champions

Only a few hours after Lindsey Vonn celebrated her downhill victory at Val d’Isere, France on Dec. 20, it was time for the ski stars of tomorrow to race a one-run giant slalom on the bottom section of the FIS World Cup slope.

Italian Carlotta Saracco, just 15 years old, skied the cleanest run and became the winner of the Longines Future Ski Champions competition, a project in collaboration with FIS to promote sport among youth. Saracco outpaced Nella Korpio (FIN) and Ida Dannewitz (SWE) in a tight battle as they finished a mere 0.19 and 0.48 seconds behind, respectively.

American Keely Cashman in the one-run GS race. Longines

American Keely Cashman in the one-run GS race. Longines

“I am so happy and feel very honored. It is a big victory for me. The girls were really strong. This project is a super initiative by Longines,” said Saracco. “We have experienced so much here at Val d’Isere.”

The event debuted last season with a race for the boy and this year, 13 girls under the age of 16 from 13 different nations came to compete at Val d’Isere.

What they found was an experience similar to that of the official World Cup, from an authentic bib draw to a slope inspection, post-race interviews, and even a winner’s ceremony at the town center.

Saracco received a Longines timepiece, a trophy and a $20,000 check for her National Ski Association to be invested in developing activities for youth.

The following athletes participated (listed by bib number):

Keely Cashman (USA)

Martina Willibald (GER)

Carlotta Saracco (ITA)

Karen Smadja-Clement (FRA)

Mihaela Kehayova (BUL)

Andrine Mathea Maarstol (NOR)

HyoBin Yo (KOR)

Ziva Otonicar (SLO)

Ida Dannewitz (SWE)

Ida Stimac (CRO)

Brianna MacDonald (CAN)

Misato Koba (JPN)

Nella Korpio (FIN)

Release courtesy of FIS

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About the Author: SR Staff Report