On the ski slope of Bad Kleinkirchheim , in Austria, Italy rewrites history with an all-female podium that conquers the World Cup downhill.
Sofia Goggia, Federica Brignone and Nadia Fanchini: they are the three protagonists of this historic all-Italian success that leaves no room for opponents and celebrates a podium that is worth a lot.
The hat-trick wins the Austrian stageclearly detaching himself from the other athletes in the race and conquering the summit and the acclaim of an entire country that followed the race with bated breath, amidst the difficulties of an impassable track and a poor weather. Heavy snow and poor visibility made the track even more difficult, so much so that the organizers were forced to shorten it given the worsening weather conditions. And it is in this far from simple scenario that a dream that bears the colors of our Italian flag comes true.
The first to arrive and conquer the highest step of the podium is Sofia Goggia, with a time of 1’04 ″ 00, which with this latest success says goodbye to her dark period that has kept her away from her greatest passion for so long, skiing. In addition to today’s great goal, Sofia Goggia also exults for her second position in the general classification with 169 points, after Tina Weirather. Happy and satisfied, she talks about herself immediately after her victory:
I felt something different in my skiing, with the shortened race I thought the gaps were lower but it was a crazy day for me. Comparison with Aspen’s hat-trick
Twenty years had passed since the last hat-trick, while now a few months have passed, which means we never stop. I think I have never skied so hard in a downhill. Thanks to the final part, in which I pushed at every corner, I was able to achieve this result. I am very happy with the Italian hat-trick but above all for Nadia, because her podium is worth more than my victory. Yesterday I was quite angry with myself, today I wanted to materialize. I am very confident for the Italian races, especially for Cortina.
An amazing and very fast Federica Brignone joins her on the podium, winning the second position 1 ″ 10. This is her first podium on the descent and she, still incredulous, comments on the race that has just ended:
It was great today, it was a difficult race, with the test preceding the race. The snow has changed, it was more wintry. Fortunately, the jury decided to start the race from the super-G by removing the initial plan. These conditions were good for us and it was nice to share the podium together.
The historic hat-trick was completed by the Italian Nadia Fanchini, who reaches the third position with 1 ″ 45 from Brignone. Although she has not yet reached an excellent physical shape, her results are exceptional and today she can celebrate with her companions this great success that she personally decides to dedicate to her sister Irene, at her home to recover from an injury.
For me the podium is worth more than a victory. I’ve been on skis for three months and I never thought I could do it. Now I am happy. My sister Elena was very happy, she complimented me. We were quite excited. It is an important result, now we need to move forward.
Off the podium we find the French Tiffany Gauthier and Tina Weirather, who are unable to reach the Italians despite their efforts in the race. But within the tenth position another blue is making its way in the ranking of arrival: Marta Bassino , who increases the importance of a legendary stage where the domination of Italy has been registered.
And starting from this great and significant victory, the blue skiers are preparing to compete for the stages of the World Cup in Italy, in Cortina d’Ampezzo with two descents and a super-G. There is great expectation for their tests: if they have managed to do great things away from home, who knows how they will behave in their territory!
