France’s Aubert wins Åre slalom while Riesch sisters do battle for remaining podium spots
ÅRE, SWE After steadily progressing toward a top 10 World Cup result for the past two seasons, Anna Goodman (Pointe Claire, QC) earned it for the first time in her career in today’s slalom at Åre, SWE.
Goodman was solid in both runs, sitting 10th after the opening run, to finish in ninth place in a two-run combined time of one minute 45.85. Teammate Brigitte Acton (Mont-Tremblant, QC) was also consistent, finishing 20th in 1:47.85.
“It feels great to finally break into the top 10. I feel like I have been on the cusp of this for a long time,” said Goodman, who now has three World Cup finishes in the top 16 on the season.
“Doing it today, I realize that skiing relaxed like in training, and being positive and patient pays off,” Goodman said, adding that she really feels comfortable racing in Sweden and enjoys the festive atmosphere of the local fans, and that helps her performance.
France’s Sandrine Aubert finished in 1:43.24 to win a World Cup slalom in Åre for the second time in nine months, having won at World Cup Finals in March. German sisters Maria and Susanne Riesch completed the podium, crossing the finish line in 1:43.69 and 1:44.20 respectively.
It appeared Marie-Michèle Gagnon (Lac-Etchemin, QC), who was skiing well, would make it three Canadians in the top 30 but she was unable to complete her opening run. Marie-Pier Préfontaine (Saint-Sauveur, QC) was 46th in her opening run and did not qualify for the second round.
Acton added that the ladies technical team is all working hard to support and motivate each other.
“I think today's results were awesome for the slalom team. Anna has been skiing really fast in training so to see her in the top 10 makes me so happy,” Acton said. “For me this is a good performance. It is tough to see in some sections, a little foggy but I was able to just fight through it.”
“I think our team is on a really good path right now, (Gagnon) was on the way to being top 30 before she went out, and having both Brigitte and I in the second run was sweet. We help each other stay positive and relaxed,” said Goodman. “Brigitte's course report for me before the second run really kept me focused,” said Goodman
The ladies World Cup takes over from the men’s circuit in Val d’Isere, FRA next, starting with a super combined on Friday.
ÅRE, SWE – DEC. 13, 2009 –SLALOM - LADIES
POS | BIB | NAME | YOB | NAT | 1st | 2nd | TOT |
1 | 4 | AUBERT Sandrine | 1982 | FRA | 53.22 | 50.02 | 1:43.24 |
2 | 1 | RIESCH Maria | 1984 | GER | 52.62 | 51.07 | 1:43.69 |
3 | 12 | RIESCH Susanne | 1987 | GER | 54.16 | 50.04 | 1:44.20 |
4 | 5 | ZETTEL Kathrin | 1986 | AUT | 53.59 | 51.03 | 1:44.62 |
4 | 3 | PAERSON Anja | 1981 | SWE | 53.91 | 50.71 | 1:44.62 |
6 | 9 | PIETILAE-HOLMNER Maria | 1986 | SWE | 53.60 | 51.08 | 1:44.68 |
7 | 8 | ZAHROBSKA Sarka | 1985 | CZE | 54.26 | 50.98 | 1:45.24 |
8 | 7 | VONN Lindsey | 1984 | USA | 54.21 | 51.16 | 1:45.37 |
9 | 19 | GOODMAN Anna | 1986 | CAN | 54.78 | 51.07 | 1:45.85 |
10 | 15 | COSTAZZA Chiara | 1984 | ITA | 55.04 | 51.10 | 1:46.14 |
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20 | 35 | ACTON Brigitte | 1985 | CAN | 55.65 | 52.20 | 1:47.85 |
Did not qualify 1st run: PREFONTAINE, Marie-Pier
Did not finish 1st run: GAGNON, Marie-Michele
COMPLETE RESULTS
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