Schild destroys field in Aspen Slalom
Marlies Schild put the demons of last years first gate straddle
behind her as she comprehensively won the slalom in Aspen.
This was classic Slalom racing and none of the field could
live with her speed: Maria Pietilae Holmner and Maria Hoefl Riesch
joined her on the podium and they were the only two to be within two
seconds of the Austrian.
"I had a great feeling the whole day," Schild said. "I was a bit
nervous before the first run but I'm really so pleased with this
win. A win in the first race of the season is always a big deal and
a great relief because it comes after nine months without a race.
I
have such good memories here in Aspen that this win is not a revenge
for what happened last year," Schild said.
Maria Hoefl-Riesch is a seven time World Cup Slalom winner as well
as being the defending Overall World Cup Champion. The relief on her
face on making the podium in Aspen was there for all to see: "I'm
really happy with my result today after two bad races in GS, I'll
try to build on that going into the speed races in Lake Louise,"
said Hoefl-Riesch after the race. "It was really important to trust
in myself which was not so easy after my fall in the GS yesterday."
The race was won in comprehensive style by Marlies Schild from
Sweden’s Maria Pietilae-Holmner. Hoefl-Riesch took third after
having been in fourth after the first run. Talking after the race
she said: “"I
was not sure about my slalom form, but to do well on such a
difficult hill definitely boosts my confidence for the next speed
races in Lake Louise."
Hoefl-Riesch had placed fourth after the first run and took the lead
when she came through the finish after the second run. Her time was
immediately bettered by the Swedish racer and when Tanja Poutiainen
finished a tenth behind her combined time, she was assured of a
confidence boosting podium placing. "With the changing light, I
didn't manage to execute everything right but I'm very happy with
this solid third place," Hoefl-Riesch told reporters.
With Lindsey Vonn electing to rest before the
races in Lake Louise due to a sore back, the Americans were able to
cheer on 16 year old Mikaela Shiffron who took 8th place
in only her second world cup start!
The World Cup Women’s tour now heads to Lake
Louise for the opening women’s speed races. Lindsey Vonn and Maria
Hoefl-Riesch’s competitiveness will be to the fore as both will want
to pick up maximum points in the speed races.
Results
1.
Marlies Schild (AUT)
2.
Maria
Pietilae Holmner (SWE)
3.
Maria
Hoefl-Riesch (GER)
Related articles
Lake Louise Men’s Super G (more)
