ALPINE SKI. LENZERHEIDE, Switzerland –Weather claims victory once again, forcing for a cancellation of both the ladies’ and men’s Super G races. The morning was not off to a good start in Lenzerheide as snow, wind and fog forced for the postponement of the start times for both the ladies’ and men’s races. Just before noon things seemed to be looking positive as the sky cleared up and racers headed up the mountain for inspection. A 13.00 CET start time for the men was confirmed and everyone was thrilled at the idea that finally there was going to be some ski racing happening.

Aksel Lund Svindal of Norway poses with the Super-G trophy following the season's last race at the Alpine Skiing World Cup finals in Lenzerheide March 14, 2013. REUTERS/Pascal Lauener

The excitement was unfortunately short lived as only one racer Gauthier de Tessieres crossed the finish line before a start stop was called due to strong gusts of wind.

During the delay the jury asked the top 15 athletes at the start to review de Tessieres’ run and let them know if they wanted to race. The feedback from the start was positive and the racers informed the jury that they wanted to give racing a go. Forerunners started again and the race reassumed with bib number 2, Austrian Junior World Champion Thomas Mayrpeter.

Austria's Klaus Kroell is rescued by a helicopter following his crash in the season's last men's Super-G race at the Alpine Skiing World Cup finals in Lenzerheide March 14, 2013. REUTERS/Pascal Lauener

The race kept going until bib number 10, Klaus Kroell crashed heavily into the nets and had to be airlifted off the course. The start stop turned to be more than just that, it became a race cancellation. Minutes after the decision to cancel the men’s race came in the ladies’ cancellation followed.

“I wanted to race for sure, even if the Super G cup was over and decided,” Svindal who secured the discipline title in Kvitfjell said of today’s situation. “I had a good chance to win the race. I really wanted to ski, but felt around me, while waiting up there, more and more that some others weren’t willing to go. It’s too bad, but I can’t do anything about it. The big crystal globe is gone today. It would have been really tough for me to get it anyway. I would have had to ski really well. I’m a bit disappointed I didn’t get to try. That’s how it is! ”

Aksel Lund Svindal of Norway poses with the men's Super-G and Downhill trophies at the Alpine Skiing World Cup finals in Lenzerheide March 14, 2013. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

Still, Svindal wrote speed history for Norway this winter, as he became the only Norwegian who managed to win both the Downhill and Super G titles in the same season.

“Regarding my two globes, I have to say it’s been a good season,” he said. “There isn’t much to remember about these two days in Lenzerheide but the season has globally be satisfying."

Tina Maze, who lost the Downhill title by one point on Wednesday to Lindsey Vonn due to the cancellation, earned the SG title today as she was in the lead coming into the Finals.

Tina Maze of Slovenia is flanked by second placed Julia Mancuso of the U.S. and third placed Anna Fenninger of Austria (R) during the podium ceremony for the women's Super-G trophy following the season's last race at the Alpine Skiing World Cup finals in Lenzerheide March 14, 2013. REUTERS/Pascal Lauener

Maze seemed to have mixed feelings about today.

“I don’t really like this kind of days when you don’t get the chance to show your skills on the slope,” she said.  “But in the end today is a good day for me, while yesterday wasn’t really. I’m of course happy to secure the Super G title. I’m really proud of my season.”

Tina Maze of Slovenia and Aksel Lund Svindal of Norway pose with Super-G trophies following the season's last race at the Alpine Skiing World Cup finals in Lenzerheide March 14, 2013. REUTERS/Pascal Lauener

At the same time Maze felt the cancellation was the way to go today.

“I’m relieved that we didn’t race today. Conditions were really tough. In my opinion speed events should be cancelled before one o’clock. Waiting for too long puts you in a stressful position and the risk of accidents therefore becomes higher.”

FISalpine.com
Thursday 14 March 2013

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