Crans-Montana – That the 30-year-old Swiss ski racer Priska Nufer climb the podium for the first time at her home race in Crans-Montana and win straight away came as a surprise to her too. Either way, it’s an emotional victory in front of the greats of the alpine women’s downhill scene.
Priska Nufer has been involved in the Ski World Cup for ten long years. She often kept up for a long time, but then still didn’t achieve a very high ranking. You might imagine that something was in the air at the latest following their good training performance and fourth place in the downhill on Saturday in the canton of Valais.
On Sunday she did everything imaginable at Mont Lachaux. She risked everything and won. The absolute stars like Ester Ledeckáteammate Corinne Suter, Sofia Goggia and Co. were left behind. Nobody broke the 1:30 minute barrier – except triumphator Nufer.
In an interview following her victory she admitted almost shyly that she was able to make the best use of the low number. On Saturday she was fourth with the tall number 30; on Sunday she started second and won. None of the big favorites might literally hold a candle to her, even if the Swiss ski athlete had to tremble for a long time.
It feels good when tears of joy and not disappointment roll down her cheeks. Nufer had to deal with some problems this winter. These related to her energy balance following she made an unpleasant acquaintance with the corona virus in January and was infected by it.
The two-time national downhill champion did not forget to thank her family. She gave the likeable athlete the strength to keep going and to always stick to her goals. The fact that one of many goals has now been fulfilled shows how beautiful and unpredictable alpine ski racing is with all its positive facets. Priska Nufer is clearly more than just an example.
The men’s ski world cup calendar for the 2021/22 season
The women’s ski world cup calendar for the 2021/22 season 
Report for skiweltcup.tv: Andreas Raffeiner