After only a few days of rest, both women and men return to racing before the New Year’s celebrations. Men will try to conquer the scary Bormio after Christmas, while the ladies will tackle their technical challenges in a small Austrian resort, Semmering.
Technical Races in Semmering: Who Will Replace Shiffrin in the Red Chair?
Semmering is a tiny venue, with only 14 km of skiing slopes at 1000 km above sea level. Still, the conditions are fine; enough snow allows the races to happen, as the FIS inspection declared. On Thursday, a giant slalom will occur, and on Friday, we will watch the slalom specialists measure their skills.
In giant slalom, we will watch the Swiss Sara Hector (SWE) the winner of the last race in Killington and the current giant slalom leader. Federica Brignone (ITA) won the opener in Sölden and is second in the rankings, so she is a favorite too. Lara Gut-Behrami can also perform well in giant slalom, and let us not forget the Americans. Paula Molztan suffered an injury in Killington, dislocating her shoulder, but was able to put it in place herself, avoiding a surgical intervention. Thus, she should be ready to race. Molztan is currently ninth in the giant slalom standings, with her two teammates, Katie Hensien and Nina O’ Brian, preceding her.
In both events, the Austrians will strive to please the local audience. Katherina Liensberger is in superb form, but Julia Scheib and Ricarda Haaser can also surprise.
In slalom, we will surely watch the overall World Cup and slalom leader Camille Rast (SUI), who won the last slalom in Killington. Lena Dürr (GER), Lara Colturi (ALB), and Wendy Holdener (SUI) also count as big favorites for the race.
- Related post: Killington Review: The History Writers Must Wait, and We Have a New Surprising World Cup Leader
Stelvio in Bormio: Will the King Rule Again?
The famous Stelvio race track in Italian Bormio is one of the most challenging downhills in the World Cup calendar. The start lies at an elevation of 2,255 m, dropping fast, and with a course length of 3,27 km, it is one of the longest downhills.
Dominik Paris (ITA) is called the King of the Stelvio, as he won here four times. Paris did not show the best form in Val Gardena, but he can always provide a surprise, especially in Bormio. Marco Odermatt (SUI) is in his usual excellent form and is a favorite for both the super-G and downhill. He won the super-G here last year, finishing second only behind Cyprien Sarazzin (FRA), who seems to be still looking for his lost form. Mattia Casse (ITA), the winner of super-G from Val Gardena, will surely try to prove his worth in front of the passionate Italian fans. And Franjo Von Allmen (SUI), who grasped for the victory in Val Gardena, will undoubtedly try again.
Bormio is brutal and dangerous, having featured both horrific crashes and spectacular recoveries.
So, let us now enjoy Christmas, relax, and prepare our brains for the adrenaline these races bring every year.
