New Zealand’s Alice Robinson, leading the giant slalom standings in the Olympic season, showed her prowess in the super-G discipline as well. Robinson secured her first career victory in super-G at a World Cup event in St. Moritz, Switzerland, finishing with a time of one minute 14.84 seconds. She edged out Romane Miradoli of France by 0.08 seconds and Sofia Goggia of Italy by 0.19 seconds.
Expressing her surprise at the win, Robinson stated, “I always felt like I was holding back in super-G a bit but not today. I just wanted to go for it.” Lindsey Vonn, the 41-year-old American, finished fourth, trailing by 0.27 seconds. Vonn, who recently became the oldest winner in the circuit’s history, admitted to being disappointed in her performance, citing being too conservative in certain sections.
Mikaela Shiffrin, known for her 104 World Cup victories, missed the final gate but managed to stay upright. Shiffrin, who hadn’t participated in speed races since previous crashes, is still recovering from injuries sustained in past competitions.
Robinson, previously excelling in giant slalom, has now emerged as a formidable contender in super-G, adding to her prospects for the upcoming Milan Cortina Olympics. With the Winter Games scheduled for February 6-22 in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, Robinson’s performance has elevated her to second place in the overall standings, closing in on Shiffrin by 64 points.
The competition now moves to France for a night slalom in Courchevel, followed by more speed racing in Val d’Isere next weekend. Canadian skier Val Grenier placed 29th, with Cassidy Gray among the athletes who did not finish the race.
Robinson’s recent success in super-G and giant slalom has positioned her as a strong contender for the upcoming Olympic events, showcasing her versatility and potential for further victories on the international stage.