Austrian racer Anna VEITH dominated the second women’s Super G of the weekend in Val d’Isère. Beating Liechtenstein’s Tina WEIRATHER into second place on the demanding Oreiller Killy (OK) race track that snakes around the shoulder of Bellevarde to the finish at La Daille. Sofia GOGGIA of Italy came third – her second podium of the weekend. In Saturday’s race on the same slope she came second to America’s Lindsey VONN, who did not compete on Sunday. Lara Gut of Switzerland took fourth place.
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VAL-D'ISERE, FRANCE - DECEMBER 17: Tina Weirather of Liechtenstein takes 2nd place during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Women's Super G on December 17, 2017 in Val-d'Isere, France. (Photo by Michel Cottin/Agence Zoom)[/caption]
Vonn had been expected to go for the double, but pulled out unexpectedly on Sunday morning. She tweeted: “Unfortunately I’m not racing today. Knee is a bit sore from yesterday so to be on the safe side I’m going to give my body some rest. My focus is on the Olympics so no need to risk anything now. Still going home very happy after my win yesterday.”
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VAL-D'ISERE, FRANCE - DECEMBER 17: Sofia Goggia of Italy takes 3rd place during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Women's Super G on December 17, 2017 in Val-d'Isere, France. (Photo by Alain Grosclaude/Agence Zoom)[/caption]
Both Super Gs formed part of the annual Critérium de la Premiere Neige in Val d’Isère. Saturday’s scheduled women’s downhill had to be cancelled due to the phenomenal snowfall. There’s now a 110cm in the village and 185cm at 3000m, the best start to a season in over 20 years.
After days of continuous snow, the skies cleared for the race. Pisteurs and ski instructors had worked since before dawn to clear loose snow from the track.
The race was briefly interrupted when Tessa Worley of France had a spectacular crash when she caught her arm on a gate and and somersaulted down the track, with skis and poles flying in every direction. Fortunately, like many World Cup racers she was wearing an airbag beneath her suit. This inflated successfully on impact, possibly saving her from serious injury. Her team mates Tiffany GAUTHIER and Lara GAUCHE finished 18th and 19th.
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VAL-D'ISERE, FRANCE - DECEMBER 17: Tina Weirather of Liechtenstein takes 2nd place, Anna Veith of Austria takes 1st place, Sofia Goggia of Italy takes 3rd place during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Women's Super G on December 17, 2017 in Val-d'Isere, France. (Photo by Michel Cottin/Agence Zoom)[/caption]
Full results