(Val d’Isère) The Italian Sofia Goggia triumphed once again in the downhill on Saturday in Val d’Isère, narrowly taking the lead in the general classification of the Alpine Skiing World Cup from Mikaela Shiffrin, whom she will however face from Sunday in Super-G.
“I was under so much pressure today. I tried to hide it, but I felt it, because here there was so much competition and little margin, ”the Bergamasque, who pocketed her seventh straight downhill victory, told Rai Sport.
“I had to give something more. I don’t think I skied so well, but this time I put my heart into it, ”she added.
As expected, the Italian Olympic champion turned out to be formidable on the Oreiller-Killy piste where her commitment is working wonders: she had already landed six podiums, including a downhill victory last winter.
After a start to the descent marked by several faults, the 29-year-old Lombard managed to make the difference thanks to a perfect second half of the race, which allowed her to make the hole with her pursuers.
Only American Breezy Johnson, who had the best speed in the race, came close to Goggia’s time, at 27/100e.
What to feel encouraged: “these are only two tenths [de seconde], I think I can catch up [Goggia], although she’s skiing phenomenally right now, ”she said.
“I think she knows it’s going to be a battle and that she has to produce her best ski every day. If she misses herself […] I hope to be there to overtake her, ”she smiles.
Austrian Mirjam Puchner, at 91/100e, complete the podium.
Another favorite of the race, the Swiss Lara Gut-Behrami had to withdraw Friday after being declared positive for COVID-19. She will therefore miss four World Cup stages this year (those in Val d’Isère and the two giant slaloms scheduled for Courchevel next Tuesday and Wednesday).
Italian Federica Brignone disappointed by placing 11e, at 1 sec 69/100e of his compatriot.
All eyes will now be on the Super-G scheduled for Sunday in Val d’Isère, where Goggia and Shiffrin will star and compete for the top of the overall World Cup standings.
Overall, Goggia now has 535 points, 10 more than Shiffrin who skipped the descent in Val d’Isère, but could catch up on Sunday.
The American surprised Thursday by announcing her presence in this single race, when she had planned to skip the Savoy stage, at the heart of a season where she intends to keep her physical and mental freshness before the Games Beijing Olympics (February 4-20).