First in Austria for Federica Brignone, who gets the red bib

Saturday 28th December 2024 08:19 AM

ALPINE SKI WORLD CUP 2024-2025 – It’s a first victory in Austria for Federica Brignone. After the victory over the opening giant, the Italian won ahead of the Swede Sara Hector and the New Zealander Alice Robinson and regained the red bib.

There were four French women at the start of the first run but alone Clara Direz managed to infiltrate the 30 qualified. A first round in which the favorites Federica Brignone et Sara Hector did not tremble, respectively taking the 1^era et 3^th temporary place. The German Emma Aicher and the Swedish Estelle Alphand had achieved a great performance, winning the ticket for the second round with bibs 41 and 42.

Fear for Clara Direz

With the heavy task of launching hostilities, Franziska Gritsch quickly saw his total mark of 2:07.48 become ancient history. Lena Duerr then temporarily took control before the passage of Clara Direz. Coming into contact with the German at the top of the course, the Frenchwoman was unable to keep up the pace on the second section. Cutting the line at 3^th Instead, she also fell heavily in the process. Hoping for reassuring news from his planned examinations at the head.

The lead of this giant quickly changed ownership in favor of Kajsa Vickhoff Lie at first, then Maryna Gasienica-Daniel who, despite an average start, signed on 2^th time of the round in this very direct layout. There were still 20 skiers at the start but thanks to her great finish, the Pole held the gaps and retained first place after the passage of Nina O’Brien (+0.09). Same for Mina Fuerst Holmann who lost half a second at the bottom of the track. It’s finally the local Julia Scheib18^th starter, who lit green all along the route.

A first for Federica Brignone in Austria

With the best time in the second round, the Austrian made a nice comeback in the day’s standings. The threat was getting closer Zrinka Ljutic (+0.14) or even Marta Bassino (+0.03) but Scheib finally gave way to Alice Robinson on the red armchair. The New Zealander started a good second ahead of the Austrian and, despite losing a few tenths en route, was comfortably settled.

Valérie Grenier then made Robinson tremble but failed by four hundredths. The podium was getting closer for the latter with the launch of the last three rockets. Sara Hector attacked and after losing a little time at the start, recovered some time in the following sectors. The red bib pointed to 1^era while Lara Gut-Behrami made a mistake straight away and jeopardized his chances. Only remained Federica Brignone for her also to double the stake after her victory over the opening giant. The Italian got her first podium in Austria, climbing to the top step. A double blow for Brignone who also takes the red bib as leader of the Général.