Styrian saves ÖSV

Hütter celebrates first win of the season in Val d’Isere

Conny Hütter won the downhill in Val d'Isere.(Bild: GEPA)

Cornelia Hütter has claimed her first victory of the season in the downhill in Val d'Isere. The Styrian relegated the German Kira Weidle (+0.26) to second place on Saturday, with the American Lindsey Vonn (+0.35) in third. With her victory, Hütter saved the ÖSV team from a debacle, as she is the only Austrian to make it into the top 10. 

Sofia Goggia, who was twice the fastest in training, only finished eighth after a clear intermediate best time due to a serious mistake in the middle section. Hütter was able to celebrate in the end, albeit unexpectedly. "I don't know where I got this good run from. I have to find out first. The last two days have taken their toll on my nerves," said Hütter, referring to problems in training. In the race, she "didn't make any mistakes and performed well from top to bottom."

Cornelia Hütter, Kira Weidle and Lindsey Vonn (from left to right)(Bild: GEPA)

For the ÖSV, it was the first victory in Val d'Isere since Anna Veith's in the 2017 super-G. An Austrian downhill victory in the French winter sports resort was much longer ago, with Annemarie Moser-Pröll winning in 1978. "That was a long time ago. I'm all the more pleased. I hope that I also found her line down here today," joked Hütter.

The result:

Vonn on the podium again
In perfect conditions, Weidle set the pace with bib number one. Vonn took her usual risk, but a run that was too faulty prevented her from setting the best time. "I did well in the middle section, but unfortunately made a big mistake at the bottom. I was way too far out there," Vonn complained on ORF. The US-American was nevertheless delighted with her third podium in the third downhill of the season. "I'm back on the podium and have defended the red jersey. That's a good thing. And I know that the basic speed is right."

Lindsey Vonn(Bild: EPA/Guillaume Horcajuelo)

Right after the American, Hütter took the lead after a spirited run. Skier after skier then failed to match the Styrian's best time. Even top favorite Goggia. The Italian experienced a scary moment in the middle section with a clear intermediate best time. After a "hit" on her skis, she lost her balance and was only able to artistically prevent a fall. The mistake cost her a second and in the end she was only able to finish eighth, 62 hundredths behind.

Cornelia Hütter(Bild: AFP/APA/Jeff PACHOUD)

More ÖSV women back
Apart from Hütter, the race was disappointing for the ÖSV women. Magdalena Egger, who came second in St. Moritz, had to pay the price this time. The racer from Vorarlberg skied off the ideal line several times in the middle section and only finished in 24th place. It's bitter at the moment. But I will learn from races like this."

Nina Ortlieb was the second-best Austrian in eleventh place. "The expectation was much higher today. I lost a lot of time at the top, although I was very fast there in training," said the athlete from Vorarlberg. "An eleventh place is not a disaster, but I know that I can do more."

Nina Ortlieb(Bild: GEPA)

Ariane Rädler finished the third downhill of the season in 16th place, Mirjam Puchner was 20th and Christina Ager also finished in the points in 29th place. Tomorrow, Sunday, the speed women have a super-G in Val d'Isere (11 a.m.) on the program before the Christmas break.