Maria Riesch of Germany grabbed gold in a thrilling ladies super combined today at the Olympic Winter Games in Whistler, BC.
Riesch was second in the opening run to yesterday’s downhill gold medalist Lindsey Vonn of the USA. The German threw down an impressive slalom run and watched as her close friend straddled a slalom gate, giving the gold medal to Germany in a two-run combined time of two minutes 9.14 seconds. It’s the first Olympic medal of Riesch’s career.
The USA did not go home empty, with another spirited performance from Julia Mancuso resulting in a silver medal for the second consecutive day. Sweden’s Anja Paerson showed incredible resolve, coming back from a dramatic crash into the finish area in yesterday’s downhill to finish in the bronze medal position today, 1.05s behind Riesch’s winning time.
Canada was led by Shona Rubens (Canmore, AB) with a 12th place finish in 2:12.58. She said the result, though not as good as she’d hoped for, would set her up for the super-G later this week.
"My runs were solid but not great,” said Rubens. “It makes me really excited for super-G. I've had my best results in that event this year and if the weather holds up it will be amazing."
Emily Brydon (Fernie, BC) ended up 14th in a two-run combined time of 2:12.76.
“It makes it hard because I know the people here are cheering hard and rooting for me, so I wanted to make them proud,” said Brydon, a three-time Olympian. “That’s the hardest part about failing. I know that I have to continue and that I have the super-G coming up. So all I can do is stay focused on that race.”
Georgia Simmerling (West Vancouver, BC) was injured in training prior to today’s super combined and did not participate in the race. Canadian medical personnel indicated that Simmerling suffered a sprain of her left shoulder and a contusion to her right leg. Her participation in further Olympic competition has not been determined.
The Alpine events of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games continue tomorrow with the men’s super-G at 11:30 a.m. PT. The ladies super-G is scheduled for 10 a.m. PT Saturday.
WHISTLER, BC - FEB. 18, 2010 – SUPER COMBINED – LADIES
POS | BIB | NAME | YOB | NAT | 1st | 2nd | TOT |
1 | 19 | RIESCH Maria | 1984 | GER | 1:24.49 | 44.65 | 2:09.14 |
2 | 3 | MANCUSO Julia | 1984 | USA | 1:24.96 | 45.12 | 2:10.08 |
3 | 21 | PAERSON Anja | 1981 | SWE | 1:25.57 | 44.62 | 2:10.19 |
4 | 20 | ZETTEL Kathrin | 1986 | AUT | 1:26.01 | 44.49 | 2:10.50 |
5 | 4 | MAZE Tina | 1983 | SLO | 1:25.97 | 44.56 | 2:10.53 |
6 | 22 | SUTER Fabienne | 1985 | SUI | 1:25.29 | 45.56 | 2:10.85 |
7 | 12 | ZAHROBSKA Sarka | 1985 | CZE | 1:27.33 | 43.69 | 2:11.02 |
8 | 8 | SCHNARF Johanna | 1984 | ITA | 1:25.72 | 45.57 | 2:11.29 |
9 | 17 | KIRCHGASSER Michaela | 1985 | AUT | 1:27.09 | 44.26 | 2:11.35 |
10 | 9 | MARCHAND-ARVIER Marie | 1985 | FRA | 1:25.41 | 46.41 | 2:11.82 |
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12 | 26 | RUBENS Shona | 1986 | CAN | 1:26.90 | 45.68 | 2:12.58 |
14 | 11 | BRYDON Emily | 1980 | CAN | 1:26.49 | 46.27 | 2:12.76 |
Did not start 1st run: SIMMERLING Georgia (CAN)