Delancey British Overall Champion Cara Brown has posted some great results in the speed races in La Parva, Chile this week. A fourth and third in the two Downhills were followed up with ... victory in the Super G - all three race results scored her career improving results, the Super G gave her a career best result in Super G, 60 points.
After a mixed technical set of races, Brown reflected: "The weather has been awful this week: constant mist, snow and very strong winds. The tech races at the start of the week didn't go to plan as I failed to string together two good runs. I was really disappointed in the giant slalom after I fell on the first run and was 5 seconds off the leader! Second run was much better though and I made up 4 seconds. The first slalom run the next day was perfect for me as the course was set straight and I had a good first run but failed I perform on my second run in a turnier course."
With regards to the speed programme, Brown commented: "I felt positive going into the speed races. The weather for the sg was very touch and go but the race went ahead and I finished in 1st place. I was really happy with the win; Even though they're weren't many girls in the race it was still a strong field. The downhill was up next and we had a training run and two race runs all in the same day. I had a good training run and the course was so much fun to ski that I couldn't wait for the race. In the first race I made a bit of a mistake on the top section which meant that I lost out on the podium by a tenth. Determined to make the top three in the following race I skied my hardest and finished third. I was close to second place but happy that I came away with another medal."
While some things have not gone to plan, when looking at the bigger picture, Brown is happy with the way things have gone on her 'summer' training: "The training here in Chile has been great despite the snow conditions and I feel like I've improved my technique and gained confidence on my skis for the coming winter." With the likes of the Austrian Men's team heading home early due to the weather, sticking it out by Brown and the rest of her teammates with Orsatus, is good to see.
Honor Clissold was also racing in the same races and will have gained some good experience in these early season speed races.
In the Men's races bad weather affected the second of the Downhills but Billy Major, like Brown training with the Orsatus set up, scored some solid results. Max Baggio suffered with the reduced start in the second Downhill after a disappointing first Downhill of the season. Oliver Davies meanwhile will have gained valuable experience as he starts his second season of FIS racing.
Ondrej Bank won the Super G, Klemen Kosi the first downhill and Andre Sporn the second.
Results - All South American Cup
Men Downhill 1
Women Downhill 1
Men Downhill 2
Women Downhill 2
Men Super G
Women Super G
Picture: Cara Brown competing in the Delancey British Alpine Championships in Meribel 2014, Credit Racer Ready - all rights reserved