Tug of war for the last two small crystal balls

Only two of a total of ten discipline decisions are still open before the World Cup finals in Soldeu. In the women’s Super-G, Cornelia Hütter is fighting for the small crystal ball on Thursday, it would be the only one for Austria.

The 30-year-old from Styria is currently separated by 25 points from the leading Italian Elena Curtoni (332). Lara Gut-Behrami (313), Ragnhild Mowinckel (306) and Federica Brignone (288) still have mathematical chances. There have been seven different winners in the seven Super-G races of the season so far. Just over a week ago in Kvitfjell, Hütter triumphed first, followed by Nina Ortlieb ahead of Stephanie Venier and Franziska Gritsch.

“Of course I’ll attack and try everything,” said Hütter, who was eighth in today’s first practice session for Wednesday’s downhill run – 1.50 seconds behind Laura Gauche’s (Fra) best time.

Vice World Champion Ortlieb proved in second place that you have to have her on the list again. Mikaela Shiffrin decided not to compete on her 28th birthday, today she has to start in order to take part in the speed race.

The men’s training was a case for all-rounder Marco Schwarz (“I feel ready to show a good performance”), who relegated Mattia Casse, Andreas Sander and Vincent Kriechmayr to their places. Daniel Hemetsberger was seventh. “You can’t take the times as a benchmark,” said Hemetsberger from Nußdorf, referring to the general conditions. High temperatures, the soft slopes and sometimes strong winds were a massive problem for the athletes.

By the way, there is still an open ranking for the men, namely in the slalom. Norwegian Lucas Braathen (466) is in pole position before the showdown in Andorra on Sunday. His “hunters” are Henrik Kristoffersen (434), Daniel Yule (401) and his Swiss compatriot Ramon Zenhäusler (367).