ALPINE SKI WORLD CUP. Courchevel – France. Snow stopped falling before the start of the second run of today’s GS in Courchevel and the sky even partly cleared up, allowing a fair battle for victory. Invincible Tina Maze didn’t give her rivals a chance and snatched her fourth GS victory in succession, tying Denise Karbon’s record of from season 2007/08.  By winning her 5th race this season, she set another record, being the first Slovenian skier to win more than 4 races in one season and this not even halfway through the season!

3rd after the first run,  Austria’s Kathrin Zettel held it together and finished 2nd, 0.22 seconds behind,  making it her third GS second place in a row. She is now third in the overall standing. Local favorite Tessa Worley took the last podium spot, 0.40 behind, moving up from the 3rd last Sunday in St Moritz.

“I guess this season is going to be the records season. But I’m just trying to be simple and enjoy my time on skis and not think of making history here. I’m even amazed myself. I have taken a step forward every year and now I'm leading the overall. I've persuaded myself I could do it and worked so hard last summer. Being second wasn’t enough. It’s paying off now and it’s incredible. Keeping this shape over the whole season is my only concern at the moment”, conceded Tina Maze after the race.

Kathrin Zettel acknowledged that she was satisfied with getting the runner-up spot three times in a row in a GS. “The way I ski really matters. I’m happy when my runs are clean without mistakes. Hopefully one day I’ll be in front. Today was a tough race, it was hard to get the speed under the skis. I’m looking forward to the next GSs, especially the ones in Austria. I’m always a bit more nervous in front of a home crowd but it’s so exciting.”

“Getting a podium in France makes it very special for me. Conditions today were pretty tough. It was very icy in comparison with the first GSs of the season. I actually love this kind of conditions. I’m really happy with the result even if I regret a few mistakes in the first run” said Tessa Worley at the press conference.

The ladies are now on their way to Are, Sweden and will showcase their talents in a GS and a slalom at the 2007 Worlds venue on 19-20 December. Let the show go on!

FISalpine.com
Sunday 16 December 2012