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Michelle Gisin outshines the Swiss record with a 3rd place. The day’s victory goes to dominator Mikaela Shiffrin.
The podium
- 1. Mikaela Shiffrin (USA) 2: 15.35 minutes
- 2. Sara Hector (SWE) +0.86 seconds
- 3. Michelle Gisin (SUI) +1.08 seconds
Mikaela Shiffrin was under a lot of pressure in Courchevel after the Italian speed queen Sofia Goggia showed impressive victories in the downhill and super-G in nearby Val d’Isère last weekend.
On the Emile Allais slope it was now the US three-time winner who showed the competition the limits, while her closest competitor for the overall World Cup was eliminated in the second round. After taking the lead at half-time, Shiffrin remained flawless on her second run and became the superior winner after 46 changes of direction.
The two drivers behind her were also overjoyed with their podium places. First and foremost Michelle Gisin, who, after a difficult preparation with glandular fever and hardly any training in the 1st giant slalom in the French Alps, was rewarded with third place. After second place in the half of the race, she kept her nerve and pushed the Slovak repatriate Petra Vlhova off the podium.
The Engelberg woman was visibly touched after her podium ride and praised those around her: “What you have recently achieved for me is unbelievable.” Between Shiffrin and Gisin there was Sara Hector from Sweden, who celebrated her first podium place since last year – in the same place – with two strong appearances on a restless slope.
The other Swiss women
- 9. Camille Rast +2.78
- 18. Wendy Holdener +4.03
- 21. Simone Wild +4.69
- 23. Corinne Suter +4.87
Despite the corona-related absence of Lara Gut-Behrami, 5 Swiss women qualified for the 2nd run and thus half of all those who started. Camille Rast with start number 45 made people sit up and take notice after a strong 1st run (16th) and even added a notch in the 2nd run. The 22-year-old was rewarded with a 9th place finish for an aggressive drive. This equalized her previous best result in the discipline.
While Wendy Holdener (18th) and Corinne Suter (23rd) fell behind in the decision, Simone Wild also made a big leap forward in 21st place. The 28-year-old had to tremble for qualification until the end, before she was allowed to open the finals in 30th place and remained flawless until shortly before the end.
So it goes on
The second giant slalom in Courchevel is already on the program for women skiers on Wednesday. After that, the women’s entourage will take a short Christmas break before they will compete in a giant slalom and a slalom (December 28-29) in Lienz (AUT) at the end of the year.