. world ski news : Italy grasp glory on the final day of the alpine season - 15 March 2009 - 14:04
Italy triumphed on the last day of the winter ski season, winning the Team Event in Are, Sweden, which ended the finals and the season.
The azure coloured skiers managed to score only 21 points, and saw their athletes win three of the four super-G rounds. Nadia Fanchini won the first leg with a time of 58.06, Peter Fill won the second in 55.07, whilst Werner Heel claimed the fourth, and final super-G group, with a time of 54.84.
Austria came second, tied with Italy on 21 points; however the Azzurri had won more legs, and therefore the Wunderteam had to settle with second spot. The best of the Wunders were Kathrin Zettel and Marcel Hirscher. Zettel won the fifth leg, the first slalom, with a time of 55.67, whilst Hirscher claimed the eighth, and final, group his own with a time of 52.48.
Switzerland took third spot on 23 points. Fabienne Suter was the best of the Swiss, winning the third leg, the penultimate super-G run, with a time of 57.77.
Only five nations took part in the final race of the winter season, with many deciding their athletes had done enough for the season. The race was held on beautiful day, and the compact race was pleasant way to let off steam before the end of season break.
The Team Event was composed of eight rounds, in two separate disciplines. The first four legs saw racers compete on a reduced super-g course, whilst the final half was disputed on a slalom piste.
Teams won points relating to their teams placement in the each leg, one point to the winner, two for second place, and so on. Therefore at the end it was the team with the least points, and the most wins who claimed the final glory of the season.
Sweden lost their spot on the podium in the last leg when Mattias Hargin missed his line, and failed to finish the race. The hosts ended the day on 26 points. The best of the Swede's was Andre Myhrer who won the sixth leg with a time of 52.12.
France completed the rankings, with 26 points. The best of the French was Sandrine Aubert who finished first in the seventh round, the third leg of the slalom, with a time of 55.92. Julien Lizeroux also did well in the slalom, in the sixth leg, taking second spot in that group with a time of 53.15.
The World Cup takes a break for the next few months and will be back at the start of next season. Until then many will travel to the Southern Hemisphere to continue their training, but not before some well deserved rest.
The first race of the 2009-2010 season will be in Soelden, Austria, as per tradition, at the end of October.
Sunday, 15 March 2009 11:59
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