On the Flachau podium, Camille Rast’s eyes were misty as she listened to the Swiss national anthem while enthroned on the highest step of the podium for the second time in her season, and in her career. In front of a crazy audience, as always in Flachau and especially in front of several of her very moved relatives, the Valaisanne put up a real demonstration during the second round of the Austrian night slalom to finally beat Wendy Holdener by 0″16. Switzerland celebrates its second double, in the same order as in Killington at the beginning of December.
The panther Camille Rast pushed by the atmosphere
“It’s incredible, just so beautiful,” she exclaimed at the microphone of SRF the winner of the day, who at the same time takes back the red bib of the discipline and the head of the general classification of the World Cup. “After the first round (8th, 1.50” behind leader Katharina Liensberger), I was a little frustrated. I managed to give it my all on the second course. I was pushed by the atmosphere, by the music, the audience. I wanted to take advantage of the crowd and I managed to give it my all, to go all out while having fun. »
The first Swiss woman to win the legendary “Nachtslalom”, Camille Rast was delighted to add her name to the list of winners of a new World Cup event after her victory in the United States. “Yesterday (Monday), I discovered that Mikaela (editor’s note: Shiffrin) and Petra (Vlhová) had won the last six races here,” she admits, thinking of the two champions absent due to injury. “It was kind of an extra motivation, especially here, in front of such a crowd. »
However, nothing was easy during a second round contested on a track quite damaged by the passage of numerous skiers. “The track was far from perfect,” confirmed Vétrozaine. “I noticed it on television, but I told myself I had to take all the risks. It passed. When I don’t really know how I should ski like today, I trust my instincts. » And so it worked for the 25-year-old skier, who set the 2nd time in the round. “Just before my race, my coaches told me to ski ‘light’,” the 2017 junior world champion from Åre also told ORF. “On my giant helmet, I have a panther, I thought of that and it worked. »
Wendy Holdener between satisfaction and frustration
Second just behind her compatriot, Wendy Holdener had a hint of regret at not having managed to achieve a first victory this season, while she still only has two slalom successes since the start of her career, like Camille Rast (but 38 podiums). Especially since she had already suffered the same fate ten days ago in Kranjska Gora. “I really wanted to win and I feel like I was close,” said the Schwyz resident who kept smiling. “The track was really difficult to ski and, despite a slight frustration, I am happy with this 2nd place, especially since it is a Swiss double. » A double which could even have turned into a hat-trick, since Mélanie Meillard (5th) failed just 0″19 from a first podium in slalom.
Thanks to this result, the Swiss skiers regain control of the specialty ranking from Zrinka Ljutić, eliminated after a big mistake in the first round. From now on, Camille Rast is 60 points ahead of her compatriot and 96 over the Croatian. How to start dreaming of Globe? “At the start of the season being leader of the ranking was not a theme, the objective was to rank in the top 7”, recalled the Valaisanne at the microphone of the ORF. “It’s much more than I had imagined so I’m taking the races one after the other and we’ll do the accounts at the end of the season. »
Michelle Gisin: “Quitting was the right decision”
For Wendy Holdener, who has been in very good shape recently and who notably served as an opener during the Adelboden slalom, this new result of choice is also further proof that she is back at her best level after her injury ankle last season, and the death of his brother. “My return was harder than I imagined but I am happy with my level now, I am on the right path. »
From now on, the Swiss will train for a few days in slalom at Pozza di Fassa in Italy, before heading towards the giant for the meeting next Tuesday, at Kronplatz. A race in which Michelle Gisin will take part, who took her last start in slalom this Tuesday and was able to celebrate her farewell to the specialty with the excited public. “Stopping was the right decision,” the Obwalden told Eurosport. “I was just happy at the finish and I’m looking forward to the future and I have a lot of excellent memories in this discipline. »
Laurent Morel/SSW/JT
Related News :