Nina O Brien. Photo: GEPA pictures

The fastest eight from the red and blue course advanced to the parallel finals in Meribel tomorrow. Canada did not enter any athletes, but the US entered four. Unfortunately, the highest-ranked Stifel US Alpine Team member Paula Moltzan broke her hand winning gold in the team event and did not compete in the qualifier.

Sweden’s Sara Hector was one of two top ten World Cup GS skiers who did compete in the qualifier, so it was no surprise she was fastest on her blue course. Norwegian Thea Louise Stjernesund unexpectedly was the fastest of the qualifiers on the red. However, it is no surprise that second in the red course is Italy’s super-G World Champion Marta Bassino, who is currently third in the World Cup GS standings.

Mixed Team Event gold medalist Nina O’Brien is the only Stifel US Alpine Team member to qualify. However, Ava Sunshine was heading to the finals when disaster struck and she lost all her speed near the bottom of the red course. Sunshine missed an invitation to the finals by (+0.2). Mixed Team Parallel member and gold medal winner Katie Hensien, finished 10th in the blue course.

The eight fastest women from the red and blue courses will compete in the parallel finals tomorrow in Meribel.

Results from the women’s parallel qualifier

Red course results, fastest eight advance to the finals in Meribel

Blue course results, fastest eight advance to the finals in Meribel