ALPINE SKI. KVITFJELL, Norway – Aksel Lund Svindal has won almost everything, but this weekend the focus was more on what he hasn’t won – a race on Norwegian snow. So this Sunday, Svindal gave it his best shot in Kvitfjell and by crossing the Super G finish line in 1 minute, 29.79 seconds not only he won his first race in his home country, but he secured the discipline title before the final Super G race in Lenzerheide.

Svindal had an impeccable run, he was leading at every split time and completed his race 0.52 seconds faster than second ranked Georg Streitberger. The podium was completed by Werner Heel, who’s run put him in third place, a mere 0.05 off the Austrian’s time.

Svindal has now won four of the five World Cup Super G races so far this season and came second in the fifth. A lot was at stake for Svindal as in only one day he could secure the Super G title, win his first race in Norway and achieve his 50th career podium.

Svindal did all of that and more, as he equaled the men's record of four Super G victories in one World Cup season. It has been achieved three times before, all by the same man – Hermann Maier, who won four Super Gs in 1997/98, 1998/99 and 1999/2000.

“I was definitely more focused on the win today that’s the thing I am mostly happy about,” Svindal said after his victory. “It’s fun to win races and I knew that Marsaglia (second in the Super G standings) had to pretty much win today to have a chance at the Finals so I was rather relaxed about it. It felt like I had the title already coming into the race, Super G has been my best event and out of the eight titles I have four Super G ones.”

Now finally everyone will stop asking him about winning at home…

“I’m pretty relaxed about the ‘winning at home’ question but I do like to give the crowd some entertainment so a win for Norway in front of these fans is great.”

“It’s perfect for me today, I had an almost perfect run and I feel my shape has been getting better and better in the past weeks, now I just wish the season was a bit longer,” Streitberger who is fresh off a podium in Garmisch-Partekirchen last week said.  “I was in the good shape while training during the whole year but somehow I never managed to bring that speed in the race. After Kitzbuehel something changed in my head and things have been going much better.”

Streitberger couldn’t not comment on the amazing day Svindal had today.

“He is impressive, I want to congratulate him on his achievements and I believe he is definitely one of the best racers out there. He had a perfect day…”

This season, after changing material Werner Heel has been on the road to comeback as one of the strongest speed skiers and a podium today just served as a bost of confidence.

“It was a great day, I felt good from the very beginning, even just freeskiing this morning things felt right,” Heel said with a big smile.  “I have won my first race on this slope and I really like it so everything came together for me today. The snow was great and I had fun skiing. Good results are always good and you always need them as they are great for your self-confidence and for the motivation of working hard towards next year.”

Heel is currently in the run for a spot on the Super G podium at the finals in Lenzerheide, sitting in fourth position only four points behind third ranked Matthias Mayer and 25 points behind teammate Matteo Marsaglia.

“I don’t plan on making it easy for them, it’s me and Marsaglia for the second and third place behind Svindal and I don’t plan on making it easy for him,” Heel commented on the standings.

Next up for the men are the last World Cup races before the finals, a Giant Slalom and a Slalom in Kranjska Gora next week. Stay tuned, things are getting exciting in the run for the four still available titles!

Follow us on Twitter @fisalpine for the most up to date information!

by Ana Jelusic
FISalpine.com
Sunday 3 March 2013

1st World Cup victory in a SG for Anna Fenninger at Garmisch!

ALPINE SKI. Garmisch-Partenkirchen – The 2nd and last Super G race of the week was held in perfect snow and weather conditions. Austria’s Anna Fenninger made the most of these amazing conditions and raced to her first career victory in super g. She crossed the finish line in the time of 1:20.43 to edge out local favourite Maria Höfl-Riesch at the top of the timesheets. The German was just 0.20 seconds off the pace. Already on the Super G podium on Friday (2nd place), Julia Mancuso took 3rd place today, 0.23 seconds slower. She still has a chance to win the super g globe at the World Cup finals in Lenzerheide. She is now 55 points down in the Super G standings led by Tina Maze, who finished 4th today.

The last four Super G races of this season have been won by four different skiers (Vonn, Maze, Rebensburg and Weirather). The streak went on with a new name added to the list today. After missing out the podium on Friday, 23-year-old Anna Fenninger showcased her exceptional talent to snatch her 2nd victory this season. “I’ve been waiting for my first victory in Super G for quite a while and I’m for sure very happy it happened today”, she admitted.

“I tried to ski a very aggressive and direct line. I couldn’t tell if that was the right thing to do until I crossed the finish line and realised it was actually the case.”

Already on the Downhill podium yesterday Maria Höfl-Riesch has clearly regained the confidence that she was lacking before the World Championships.

“My Super G season hasn't been great and making my first podium here on a home soil is for sure really special”, said the Super Combined World Champion.

Julia Mancuso made her 15th World Cup Super G podium and is still looking for the first victory this season. “It’s always nice to be on the podium, I’m happy”, said the Californian girl.

“It’s nice to be among the fastest. I’m just trying every day to do my best and hopefully the win will come soon."

"In the middle again I was not great on the truny section. I need to find the key to be as fast in that section as I was in the others", she concluded.

In addition to the great performances of the day, there unfortunately was a lot of talking about an unpleasant story regarding Tina Maze. A lot of questions were asked this morning when policemen were seen around the World Cup champion during the inspection. As a matter of fact, it turned out that death threats towards Tina Maze were received by the organizing committee last night per email. The athlete remained under the supervision of the policemen all day and could leave Garmisch-Partenkirchen without any problems.

She agreed on giving her opinion on the subject before leaving the finish area. “When incredible achievements are made, there are unfortunately always going to be people willing to disturb. I guess that is part of the game, but it shouldn’t be like that. I wasn’t scared but for sure I did think about it last night trying to go to sleep. I don’t know where it comes from but “they” didn’t disturb me much today. I’m really proud of myself and I will continue this way.”

Tina Maze aims at winning the globes in all 4 disciplines and won’t let this unacceptable episode upset her season. She and the rest of the World Cup ladies will head to Ofterschwang for two tech events next weekend before the finals in Lenzerheide.

FISalpine.com
Sunday 3 March 2013