ALPINE SKI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS. Schladming, Austria – United States Ski star Ted Ligety won the gold medal in the men’s super G race on 6th Februray in front of 24,000 fans. Surprise skier Gauthier de Tessieres from France took silver while Norway’s Aksel Lund Svindal skied into third position.

SCHLADMING, AUSTRIA – FEBRUARY 06: Ted Ligety of the USA wins the gold medal during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Championships Men’s SuperG on February 06, 2013 in Schladming, Austria. (Photo by Alain Grosclaude/Agence Zoom)

Ligety who has had two fourth positions in super G races so far this World Cup season is considered one of the top favourites in the giant slalom event but not really in super G. “I knew I would be good enough to win a medal on this hill. But a gold medal – wow, that’s pretty cool, almost unbelievable”, the 28-year-old World Champion stated after the race.

SCHLADMING, AUSTRIA Ð FEBRUARY 06: Ted Ligety of the USA wins the gold medal during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Championships MenÕs SuperG on February 06, 2013 in Schladming, Austria. (Photo by Christophe Pallot/Agence Zoom)

Gauthier de Tessieres only found out in the beginning of the week that he would be able to race. He was replacing his team mate Johan Clarey who is injured. The Frenchmen who has never scored any World Cup podium positions was not even able to prepare 100% for the World Championships but in the end, nailed silver, only 0.20 seconds behind Ligety. “I can’t really realize it yet, otherwise, I would have to cry”, he was saying totally overwhelmed after the race.

SCHLADMING, AUSTRIA – FEBRUARY 06: Gauthier De Tessieres of France wins the silver medal during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Championships Men’s SuperG on February 06, 2013 in Schladming, Austria. (Photo by Alain Grosclaude/Agence Zoom)

Top favourite Svindal who has already won three super G races this season and is leading the event's World Cup standings, did not quite make it up to his expectations. He was leading until one of the last turns when a small mistake pushed him back to third position, 0.22 seconds behind the winner. “Today’s conditions were good, maybe not optimal. The snow was very smooth but Ted really skied a classic race!”, Svindal aknowledged.

SCHLADMING, AUSTRIA – FEBRUARY 06: Aksel Lund Svindal of Norway wins the bronze medal during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Championships Men’s SuperG on February 06, 2013 in Schladming, Austria. (Photo by Alain Grosclaude/Agence Zoom)

With the Austrian squad still waiting to score some first medals on home soil, the men's action will continue with a downhill competition on Saturday, 9th February at 11:00 CET.

FISalpine.com
Wednesday 6 February 2013

SCHLADMING, AUSTRIA Ð FEBRUARY 06: Ted Ligety of the USA wins the gold medal, Gauthier De Tessieres of France wins the silver medal, Aksel Lund Svindal of Norway wins the bronze medal during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Championships MenÕs SuperG on February 06, 2013 in Schladming, Austria. (Photo by Christophe Pallot/Agence Zoom)

  Tweet