ALPINE SKI WORLD CUP. Åre, Sweden – After clocking the best opening run, Olympic champion Viktoria Rebensburg put everything on the line in the second run to stay in front. This is her first victory of the season and the 16th podium in her career. The battle for the first place was tough; she even was close to ski out after an unpleasant mistake but managed to stay up. Austria’s Anna Fenninger did better than in the first run and overtook Maze to finish second, 0.62 seconds behind. The Slovenian champion took the last podium spot, 0.91 seconds behind, making it her 8th podium of the season and hence tying the record held by Alexandra Meissnitzer (AUT, 1998/99) and Janica Kostelic (CRO, 2002/03) for most podiums in a season before New Year’s.

Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup 2012-2013 Are (SWE), Women's Giant Slalom, 19 Dec 2012, Viktoria Rebensburg (GER) - (Photo: Gio Auletta / Pentaphoto / Nordica)

After struggling in the last GS in Courchevel, Rebensburg confessed it was good to be back in the lead and it was good feeling to win again. "It was much different, it was a much better piste here, not too icy. That's what skiing is supposed to be. Now I can go home now and celebrate Christmas and this Victory with my family and friends”, said the German.“

Anna Fenninger got her first podium of the season. “It was new for me to race a GS at night and I love it”, said the young Austrian.

Even she was a bit disappointed not to win her 5th GS in a row, Tina Maze admitted she was still very happy with the 3rd position. “My first run was not the way I wanted it to be, but one cannot always make it perfect I guess. I really struggled to get the speed. However I’m happy about my second run and being on the podium again feels great. I like the hill here, even if it’s a tricky one. Before thinking about Christmas, I need to stay focused and perform tomorrow in the slalom”, said the Slovenian champion.

She has now 859 point in the World Cup overall standings and is 351 points ahead of the runner-up Maria Hoefl-Riesch. Let’s see if she can even increase the gab in the Slalom!

FISalpine.com
Wednesday 19 December 2012