Italian
Sofia Goggia wins the SuperG in Soldeu and consolidates her first place in the World Cup standings. Pirovano fifth, Brignone eighth
SOLDEU (ANDORRA) – After two consecutive third places, the first in the Olympic downhill of Tofane, the second on Friday in the first trial of the Soldeu stage, for Sofia Goggia comes the first victory of the year, the second of the season. A success, number 28, very important for the continuation of the season in terms of the specialty cup.
The blue athlete starts off well, but the real difference is made in the central section where she creates a gap behind her, marking a beautiful 1’25″95. Second is the German Emma Aicher at 0″24, third is the Norwegian Kajsa Vickhoff Lie who completes the podium at 0″31. Fourth is the Swiss Corinne Suter ahead of the increasingly surprising Laura Pirovano at 0″77. Seventh place goes to Alice Robinson who sees the gap with Goggia in the specialty cup increase. Eighth is Federica Brignone who suffers from a not perfect start but then matches the times of her teammate.
Sofia Goggia with this victory rises to 420 points in the specialty standings, increasing the gap to 84 points compared to Robinson (336) with Aicher in third place with 304. 100 important points also for the overall standings, which now sees the Italian athlete move up to fourth place (786 points) behind Shiffrin (stopped at 1133) and ahead of Rast (963) and Aicher (914).
The next World Cup stop will be in Val di Fassa, Trentino. In Passo San Pellegrino, there will be trials on Wednesday and Thursday, then from Friday, two downhill races and a superG.
The statements
These are the words of Sofia Goggia, at her 68th career podium, at the end of the race:
“Today I am really happy, I had a great race overall, within a very solid weekend. I believe that the difference between yesterday and today was not much, I pushed more but it was mainly the different strategy at the wall entrance that launched me today. I had a great race, always attacking even in the two points where it was necessary to be more careful. Even though when I crossed the finish line I wasn’t so sure I could win, due to a couple of scratches on the wall. Yesterday I was very aware that there was something wrong in the central section: it was more beneficial to stay high before entering the wall and fixing that detail led me to win.
I am happy with my performances in superG: I believe it is the result of the hard work done also in giant, in this discipline that is a perfect combination of technique and speed.
The reality, however, is that I need to stay focused: on Tuesday we are already heading back to Val di Fassa and there will be many races in a few weeks. The specialty cup remains a dream and I keep my concentration day by day to try to achieve it. I also have a good feeling with downhill, but it has been a particular season: I started well in St. Moritz, I made mistakes in Val d’Isere and in January I struggled with tracks and conditions that were not suitable for me. Then the bronze at the Olympics and here I was third on Friday knowing that I had accumulated everything in the upper part.”
Another great placement for Laura Pirovano:
“I am happier than yesterday, I felt better and skied better. I know that when the slope is damaged I lack confidence, but today I held on until the end. When I saw I was fifth, I told myself… “Well, I’m always around there”: I am very proud to always be among the top, I just need that little extra and I will keep trying every day. Now I can’t wait to be in Val di Fassa: I have many beautiful memories of La VolatA.”
Women’s SG World Cup Results in Soldeu (And)
Photo Credits: Fisi.org
