With the transition from speed to tech events, athletes first tackled the mixed team parallel event in Meribel (FRA) today. Nations took different approaches in which athletes they fielded for the event, some more experienced racers, whilst others gave the chance to their junior races to shine in the light. Austria, we looking to be strong favourites heading into the competition after winning the gold at the Olympics, whilst critics were sceptical of the predominately junior Swiss team.
Even after fielding an extremely experienced team, which included Federica Brignone, Giovanni Borsotti, Marta Bassino and Luca De Aliprandini, Italy was knocked out by Olympic silver medallists, Germany. After beating Italy, Germany then confronted the young Swiss team and was surprisingly beaten three races to one. Landing themselves in the “small final”, Germany went head-to-head again Olympic bronze medallists, Norway, and took home 3rd place in the World Cup Final.
After beating Slovenia in the quarterfinals by a 0.13-second tie-break, the Austrian team comfortably claimed their place in the “big final”, beating Norway three races to one in the semis. The Olympic champions were probably not expecting to go head-to-head with the Swiss team. Nonetheless, the Swiss skied their hearts out and came away winning the event. It is the first time that Switzerland wins a team event at the World Cup Finals.
Tomorrow, the men will tackle the giant slalom whilst the women confront the slalom. The men’s giant slalom globe has already been claimed by Marco Odermatt (SUI), whilst the women’s slalom globe has already been won by Petra Vlhova (SVK). The first run of the men’s giant slalom is scheduled to start at 09:00 CET with the second run at 12:00 CET, and the women’s slalom is scheduled to start at 10:30 CET and the second run at 13:30 CET.
