Super-G in Kvitfjell

Sofia Goggia celebrates her stage victory and the crystal globe

Sofia Goggia raced to the small crystal globe on Sunday.(Bild: EPA/JEAN-CHRISTOPHE BOTT)

Sofia Goggia has won the small crystal globe in Super-G for the first time in her career. With her victory in Kvitfjell, the Italian secured the overall title in the discipline. Switzerland’s Corinne Suter finished second on Sunday, while Kira Weidle-Winkelmann of Germany came in third. Cornelia Hütter was the top Austrian athlete, finishing in fifth place.

On Sunday, 33-year-old Sofia Goggia won the Super-G standings in the Alpine Ski World Cup for the first time. The 2018 Olympic downhill champion, who held a 63-point lead over New Zealander Alice Robinson heading into the final race in Kvitfjell, also won the race—her third victory of the season. Behind her were Switzerland’s Corinne Suter (+0.32) and Germany’s Kira Weidle-Winkelmann (+0.60 sec.). Styrian Cornelia Hütter finished fifth (+0.84) as the top Austrian.

The result:

Upon crossing the finish line, the Olympic bronze medalist was in third place and could still hope for the first red-white-red World Cup podium finish of the season in this discipline for women. However, Germany’s Emma Aicher (+0.61), who ultimately finished fourth, and Suter were faster than the 33-year-old, whose future in the sport remains uncertain. Olympic team combined champion Ariane Rädler finished seventh (+1.19), Mirjam Puchner twelfth (+1.97), and Nina Ortlieb 21st (+2.67). 500-point skier Julia Scheib sat out; the Styrian giant slalom standings leader complained of back pain.

Sofia Goggia(Bild: AFP/CORNELIUS POPPE)

Hütter reiterated that the spring-like conditions don’t suit her. “You can tell this isn’t the cool, aggressive winter snow I love so much. But I gave it a try and stuck with it 90 percent of the way.” It’s her second-best Super-G result of the season, so she has to be satisfied with that. She wants to decide whether to continue or end her career once things have settled down. “It’s 50-50. Racing and attacking is fun.” Sometimes, though—like during training—it’s tough. “That’s why I want to think it through very, very carefully.”

Worst Super-G season for ÖSV women
Rädler said she could tell that things weren’t coming as easily in the Super-G: “I need to make sure I improve in the turns again.” Ortlieb, on the other hand, was at a loss, desperate: “It was more of a struggle for survival.” For the first time since the 1996/97 season, the Austrian women failed to finish in the top three in the Super-G, a discipline that has been part of the World Cup since the 1980s. Back then, they had at least managed a fourth-place finish, but even that was missing this time. On a positive note, however, they secured a podium finish in the most important race of the season under the banner of the Five Rings.

Cornelia Hütter(Bild: GEPA)

The assessment by outgoing ÖSV women’s head coach Roland Assinger for the speed disciplines was mixed. “Mixed results in the Super-G; there was always that glitch—except at the Olympics, which made it all the more special. It didn’t come easily. We need to analyze that so we can come back with full force next year. “We can be satisfied with the downhill.” For him, the time had come to turn the page, the Carinthian said regarding his departure. “When Julia won the crystal globe, it told me: ‘Roli, it’s time.’”

For Slovenian Ilka Stuhec, it was the final race of her career. As the 35-year-old 2017 and 2019 Downhill World Champion was celebrated with bib number 3 after 19 years on the World Cup circuit, the results were still pending. Goggia, however, left little to the imagination with bib number 8. Rival Robinson botched her run and finished 16th (+2.41), failing to score any points. This means both women’s speed titles this winter go to Italy; Laura Pirovona had claimed the downhill crystal globe the day before following her first three World Cup victories, all secured after the Olympics.

“I deserved this crystal globe”
Goggia had already secured two podium finishes in Kvitfjell last year and was therefore aware of her strong chances. “But when you’re under pressure, you have to be able to handle it,” said the winner—who also triumphed in Val d’Isère and Soldeu—in an interview with ORF. “I’m happy with how it turned out.” You also have to be able to deliver in the Super-G if you want to be a complete skier, not just in the downhill—where Goggia won four crystal globes. “I was consistent in the Super-G this season and I deserve this crystal globe.” Her final lead over Robinson is 163 points.

Corinne Suter, Sofia Goggia, and Kira Weidle-Winkelmann (from left to right)(Bild: GEPA)

Aicher gained another 50 points in the overall World Cup standings; the 22-year-old is still 45 points behind the leading U.S. star Mikaela Shiffrin ahead of the slalom and giant slalom on Tuesday and Wednesday in Hafjell. It was bitter for Aicher that she missed out on ten more points on Sunday by just one hundredth of a second. Shiffrin is now even more of a favorite in the overall standings than before; aside from one second-place finish, she has won every slalom race this season. In her third Super-G of the season, the 31-year-old finished 22nd (+2.78) and earned no points. Only the top 15 receive points at the season finale.

Shiffrin had expected Aicher to take the overall lead after the speed double. “But the point difference isn’t that big; it will take two really strong races.” Despite her fatigue, she is ready for it. She struggles more in the giant slalom under soft conditions. “But I feel good in the giant slalom and, of course, in the slalom. It’s about getting my energy back and then showing my best skiing in those two races.”