Press release -
First World Championship Medal for Nina Ortlieb
The HEAD Worldcup Rebels continue to collect medals at the World Championships in Courchevel/Meribel: Nina Ortlieb won Silver in the Downhill on Saturday, Corinne Suter took Bronze.
"It was very close in the women's event. It is brilliant how Nina Ortlieb almost made it to the top of the podium," says HEAD Racing Director Rainer Salzgeber. "Following the dilemma of her fall in Cortina, she was still struggling. So it's all the more pleasing that she was able to focus on the race and win this medal. It's a similar story with Corinne Suter. Her fall in Cortina also threw her off her stride. To then win a medal after a disappointing result in the Super-G is really great. In the men's Downhill we knew it would be difficult because Feuz and Mayer - two of our top athletes - retired a month ago. Vincent Kriechmayr simply made two mistakes too many. James Crawford, however, brought us very close to a medal."
Just four hundredths of a second away from Gold
Nina Ortlieb deserves to celebrate winning Silver, her first medal at a major event. The Austrian athlete was just four hundredths of a second away from victory in the Downhill. But even the Silver felt like Gold to the 26-year-old after her many career setbacks. "This is incredible and difficult to put into words. I still haven't fully taken it in. Injuries have had a big impact on my career. Now I can forget all about the injuries, because I know it was worth it. I made two small mistakes. In a race like this, everyone has to ski to the limit, and mistakes happen. Maybe it was one mistake too many. But I won Silver, and after the difficulties I've had in recent weeks, it was an unexpected delight to win a medal," Nina Ortlieb explained at the finish.
Fifth World Championship medal for Corinne Suter
Eight hundredths of a second behind Ortlieb, Corinne Suter won Bronze. It was the fifth World Championship medal for the Swiss athlete, who was crowned World Champion in the Downhill two years ago in Cortina. "I can't imagine anything more satisfying. I simply didn't get up to speed this season. That's why I said to myself, it's now or never. I tried not to question my ability. What I have just achieved, feels unbelievably great," says the 28-year-old.
Ten HEAD Worldcup Rebels in the top 15
The team result of the HEAD Worldcup Rebels was also impressive. No fewer than ten athletes finished among the fastest 15: Cornelia Hütter and Stephanie Venier from Austria were fourth and seventh, Lara Gut-Behrami from Switzerland ninth, Ragnhild Mowinckel from Norway tenth, Laura Gauche from France twelfth, Elena Curtoni and Laura Pirovano from Italy 13th and 14th and Kajsa Vickhoff Lie from Norway was 15th.
James Crawford narrowly misses second medal
James Crawford, who sensationally won Gold in the super-G, just missed out on his second medal at this World Championship. The Canadian athlete crossed the finish line in fifth place in the Downhill. Also in the top ten were Vincent Kriechmayr from Austria in eleventh place and Justin Murisier from Switzerland, who finished twelfth.
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