BEAVER CREEK (USA) (ITALPRESS) – It’s a great comeback on skis that of Sofia Goggia, who came close to victory in the Beaver Creek downhill, valid for the Women’s Alpine Ski World Cup. The Italian, after 313 days of stop due to an injury to the tibia and malleolus of her right leg, finished in second place (1’32″54) just 16 hundredths behind Austrian Cornelia Huetter (1’32″38). Solid performance by Goggia, podium number 55 in her career, with a very clean and flawless skiing. “I had a good race, not excellent. I was able to ski more discreetly on my feet in the upper part. Having always struggled in the two runs the past few days, I was very careful today. I skied at 80% of my potential. Still it remains a very good result that I would have signed for on the eve of the race, having let down those 16 cents in the last part that cost me the victory, will push me to do my best for Sunday’s super-giant,” the words of the Bergamasque star. Here comes the 91st podium for Switzerland’s Lara Gut-Behrami, third at 0″34 from Huetter. Extremely positive day for the Italian colors. Marta Bassino is seventh at 0″64 and Federica Brignone ninth at 0″87. Also doing well were Laura Pirovano (11th at 0″89) and Roberta Melesi, 18th at 1″57, despite wearing bib number 42, with a career-best result in the downhill. Further behind were Elena Curtoni (24th at 2″00), also returning to racing after a year’s stop, Nadia Delago (27th at 2″30), Sara Thaler (37th at 2″76), Nicol Delago (38th at 2″77) and Vicky Bernardi (40th at 2″95). Several high bibs in the top positions. U.S. Lauren Macuga is fourth (+0″52) with 27, Austrian Ricarda Haaser is fifth (+0″56 and career-best downhill finish) with 37, and Czech Ester Ledecka sixth (+0″60) with 24. Also in the top ten are Swiss Michelle Gisin (8th at 0″72) and Slovenian Ilka Stuhec (10th at 0″88). Good performances by American Breezy Johnson, 13th with bib number 32 (+1″33), and Swiss Jasmina Suter, 16th with 40 (+1″52). Important points for Frenchwoman Romane Miradoli who, despite the back problems that have plagued her in recent months, managed to snatch a good 19th place (+1″63). A few too many blunders for Austria’s Nina Ortlieb, who does not go beyond 22nd position at 1″86 from Huetter. The day’s bib number 1 Laura Gauche is 28th at 2″37 from the top. In great difficulty is Germany’s Emma Aicher, who is 43rd at 3″60 after excellent runs in slalom and giant slalom. Last-minute forfeit for Germany’s Kira Weidle-Winkelmann. Switzerland’s Joana Haehlen was the only out.- Photo Ipa Agency -(ITALPRESS).
