60th Critérium – Ladies Downhill Race Results

LARA GUT, QUEEN OF VAL D’ISERE

Winner of the downhill after her victory in the super-combined, the Swiss stole the show over the weekend at the Critérium de la Première Neige.

Lara Gut loves Val d’Isère and the French resort loves her, too. Fired up by her victory in Friday’s super-combined, the Swiss ski star tackled Saturday’s downhill with high ambitions. While favourite Lindsey Vonn failed to complete the course, Gut skied at her very best, beating compatriot Fabienne Suter by 0.16 seconds. “This is my third win in Val d’Isère and it’s not by chance. This race is a bit of fresh air for me. I feel good here,” she said at the finish.

Thanks to her 15^th World Cup victory, Gut is now only two points behind Vonn in the FIS World cup overall standings. “My double here is great but it’s not going to change my life. I must take each day as it comes and keep working. It’s still a long season,” she insisted.

The last event in the 60^th Critérium de la Première Neige was a good one for Swiss skiing. In second place, Suter confirmed her current downhill form after her runner-up spot two weeks ago in Lake Louise. “I was extremely nervous at the start and I’m really happy about this result. Now I must stay consistent,” she said.

Canada’s Larisa Yurkiw took third place for the second podium in her career. “I made a few mistakes but it was good enough. I’m especially happy to make a podium in such a classic stage of the circuit. The ski conditions were exceptional.”

The French camp had to be content with Margot Bailet’s 22^nd place ahead of 27^th-placed Jennifer Piot.

60th Critérium – Ladies Downhill Race Results

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