Cruel outcome for Wendy Holdener in the slalom of the Worlds in Méribel! While she was well ahead, the Schwyzoise straddled the second course. Canadian Laurence St-Germain surprised everyone by taking the title ahead of American Mikaela Shiffrin and German Lena Dürr. Best Swiss representative, the Uranese Aline Danioth took a good 6th place.
The disappointment is immense. Second in the first run, ahead of Laurence St-Germain by almost 0.80, Wendy Holdener made a big mistake when all the lights were green. The Unteriberg skier had a lot of speed before a stake straddled does not force her to pull the handbrake.
“I have to tell you that I don’t know exactly what happened, explained the Schwytzoise at the microphone of the RTS. I do not understand everything. I skied the way I wanted and I probably didn’t think the middle part would be so unstable. But there you have it, you have to accept it even if there is a positive. The positive for the technician is of course her two silver medals in combined and in parallel.
The best Swiss is therefore called Aline Danioth, brilliant 6th for the best result of her career. The skier from Andermatt can however express some regrets. During her 2 visits, the soon-to-be 25-year-old Uranaise negotiated the top well to give up too much time on the bottom. She finally fails 0”28 from the podium.
Laurence St-Germain, surrounded by Mikaela Shiffrin and Lena Dürr, completed the race of her life. [Marco Trovati – Keystone]
La sensation St-Germain
On the top step of this podium, we find the immense surprise Laurence St-Germain. The Canadian had never done better than 6th in the World Cup (in Levi in 2020)! In Savoy, she managed to dominate Mikaela Shiffrin. Even if she won a 14th world medal, the American missed her round. While everything suggested that she was going to roll over her opponents, the lady with 85 World Cup successes lost her luster. Additional regrets for Wendy Holdener, who had everything in hand to adorn herself with gold. The bronze finally went to the German Lena Dürr.
Camille Rast had to settle for 27th place. Last Swiss in the running, Michelle Gisin ended her Worlds on a bad note. Only 35th at the end of the morning round, the Obwalden preferred to give up taking the start in the afternoon. The double Olympic combined champion admitted that she was delighted to be back in Crans-Montana next weekend for speed events.
ats/jbal
Slalom D, 2nd run (18.02)
The Worlds program
SUN 19.02: men’s slalom in Courchevel (10 a.m./1.30 p.m.).
The selection of Swiss-Ski
Dames (10): Aline Danioth, Andrea Ellenberger, Jasmine Flury, Michelle Gisin, Lara Gut-Behrami, Joana Hählen, Wendy Holdener, Priska Nufer, Camille Rast, Corinne Suter.