The Alpine Combined has many detractors but it also has as many fans. Two runs, one of speed and the other of slalom both on the same day and it pitches the technical wizardry against the speed merchants. The likes of Mikaela Shiffrin have shown that it is very possible to be good across the disciplines but the Slalom Queen did not race in Crans Montana, preferring to rest after the Olympics. Federica Brignone took the win ahead of Michelle Gisin with Petra Vlhova in third ahead of Holdener and Stephanie Brunner.
With such a short season of races to decide the Globe, just two races, victory in the opening race by Wendy Holdener meant that the Globe was hers to lose. Having finished third in the Super G the day before, Holdener was in seventh after the Super G leg of the event. A bronze in the Olympics in Alpine Combined meant that Holdener is a serious contender when it comes to the multi discipline event, she is the World Champion from St Moritz in 2017 as well.
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CRANS-MONTANA, SWITZERLAND - MARCH 04: Michelle Gisin of Switzerland takes 2nd place during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Women's Combined on March 4, 2018 in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. (Photo by Michel Cottin/Agence Zoom)[/caption]
Holdener took the lead after her run in the slalom leg but was soon deposed by her friend and fellow Swiss racer Michelle Gisin. When Petra Vlhova split the two up in going second the opportunity for Gisin to contemplate victory in the race and win the Globe started to generate hope for her.
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CRANS-MONTANA, SWITZERLAND - MARCH 04: Petra Vlhova of Slovakia competes during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Women's Combined on March 4, 2018 in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. (Photo by Alain Grosclaude/Agence Zoom)[/caption]
With lots of speed racers dancing down the slalom course but falling behind the leading three, Holdener was still in the box seat. When Brignone came down the advantage for Holdener in the race for the Globe swung in her favour. With Goggia, winner of the Super G leg not as strong a Slalom racer and dropping to 8th, fourth place for Holdener meant that despite Gisin taking second, the Globe was Holdener's.
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CRANS-MONTANA, SWITZERLAND - MARCH 04: Michelle Gisin of Switzerland takes 2nd place, Federica Brignone of Italy takes 1st place, Petra Vlhova of Slovakia takes 3rd place during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Women's Combined on March 4, 2018 in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. (Photo by Michel Cottin/Agence Zoom)[/caption]
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