Great week of the Alpine Ski World Cup with the men’s Italian tour, in Val Gardena and Alta Badia, and the women’s speed event in Saint-Moritz in Switzerland.
The context: Vonn superstar in Switzerland, Odermatt expected in Italy
It’s one of the events of winter. After the great return of Marcel Hirscher to Sölden, ultimately incomplete with the knee injury of the Austrian turned Dutchman, it is another star of world skiing who will make his comeback after five years of absence: at 40 years old , Lindsey Vonn will get back on track. Even with a knee repaired several times, the American star trained seriously again, participated in FIS races at Copper Mountain to glean supplies, was usher in the Beaver Creek races last week, before putting on a bib in St. Moritz, where two super-Gs are on the menu.
Another ghost, the Italian Sofia Goggia will also be expected in Switzerland after a winning comeback at Beaver Creek (2e downhill, 1re in super) after his shin injury.
The men will begin their big Italian tour. Back to the top in giantt, Saturday in Val d’Isère, after three races without points, Marco Odermatt will be the big theme of the week in the Dolomites, first in Val Gardena (super-G and downhill), before going via Passo Gardena towards Alta Badia for the giant’s great classic. All against Marco, starting with his compatriots Murisier, Meillard and co. A first training session is planned for Tuesday on the Saslong. If three sessions are planned, only two should take place depending on weather conditions.
Vonn usher at Beaver Creek
The program
VAL GARDENA
Tuesday December 17: men’s downhill training (11:45 a.m.)
Wednesday December 18: men’s downhill training (11:45 a.m.)
Thursday December 19: men’s downhill training (11:45 a.m.)
Friday December 20: men’s super-G (11:45 a.m.)
Saturday December 21: men’s downhill (11:45 a.m.)
ALTA BADIA
Sunday December 22: men’s giant (10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.)
Monday December 23: men’s slalom (10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.)
SAINT-MORITZ
Saturday December 21: women’s super-G (10:30 a.m.)
Sunday, December 22: women’s super-G (11 a.m.)
The weather: expected snow
If the start of the week is sunny and warm near Val Gardena, snowflakes are expected on Friday for the super-G on the Saslong. Snow could be there next Monday in Alta Badia. It is also announced in St. Moritz at the end of the week.
The blue corner: Sarrazin on all fronts, Christmas back?
After a rather satisfactory speed recovery with a podium in super-G (2e) in Beaver Creekand an impasse on the giant of Val d’Isère, here it is again Cyprien Sarrazin on track for the Italian tour. If his knees leave him alone, the Haut-Alpine will rush – like Odermatt – first to Val Gardena, where he flirted twice with the podium last year (4e in super-G and downhill) before “his madness” begins in Bormio, then will continue after the giant on the Gran Risa of Alta Badia, where he launched his career (2e in 2019). As always, the other tricolor go-getters (Allègre, Giezendanner, Bailet…) will be expected after great performances at Beaver Creek.
Alexis Pinturault, 10e in super-G in Colorado, will follow super-G in Val Gardena and giant in Alta Badia. Still no descent on his program and not even the slightest training on the Saslong (in principle).
After its Sunday giant, Alta Badia returns this season to its slalom for Mondays. In the tricolor camp, we will find Steven Amiezunfortunate hero of Val d’Isère, and we will wait for news of Clement Noel, who will treat his right ankle after his giant fall on the Face de Bellevarde. The winner of Levi and Gurgl intends to be back on his feet for the 4e winter slalom.
For the ladies, in St. Moritz, Roman Miradolisolid 8e Sunday at Beaver Creek, will lead the Blues on a track where she had a podium in super-G (3e in 2022). Enough to give ideas.
First training in Val Gardena on Tuesday
Swiss
