Press release -
Sara Hector and Lena Dürr podium in Courchevel
In the Slalom in Courchevel - the last women's race before the World Championships - two HEAD Worldcup Rebels are on the podium with Sara Hector in second place and Lena Dürr third. Camille Rast defends her overall lead in the Slalom World Cup in fifth place.
"I am absolutely satisfied with this result. Two athletes who skied very fast split times unfortunately did not finish - but that's Slalom racing. Yet again we could see that their skiing skills and equipment work well together," says HEAD Racing Director Rainer Salzgeber. "We are doing superbly in all disciplines. There are no issues anywhere and that shows the level we are currently at. The competitions in every discipline can turn out positively at the World Championships and that's what we're hoping for."
Second Slalom podium this season for Sara Hector
Sara Hector confirmed she's reaching top form in the Slalom by finishing in second place. In Flachau just over two weeks ago, she finished third for her first podium in this discipline this season. In the Giant Slalom, the Swedish athlete has already scored two victories and a second place. In Courchevel, the 32-year-old moved up from seventh place after the first run to second place. "It was really difficult to ski. It's incredible that it turned into second place. I was a bit scared and reckoned I'd try coming from behind. It was cool," said a delighted Sara Hector at the finish.
"I am totally satisfied"
Lena Dürr also moved up as many places as Sara Hector on the second run. The German athlete raced through from eighth to third place, bagging her third podium finish of the season in the Slalom - following third place in Levi and second place in Semmering. "I'm totally satisfied that I was able to move up so many places on the second run. I reassured myself by putting an even better performance in on the second run. I tried to stay cool at the start and go for the best line. The conditions were difficult," said Lena Dürr. Camille Rast finished in fifth place. This means that the Swiss athlete retains the Red Jersey in this discipline after seven of the ten Slaloms this season. World Cup points were also picked up by Aline Höpli from Switzerland who finished 20th, Anna Swenn-Larsson from Sweden 24th, and Eliane Christen from Switzerland 25th.
Joan Verdu clocks fastest Giant Slalom on the second run
The men's Giant Slalom was held on Tuesday, followed by the Night Slalom on Wednesday in Schladming. In the Giant Slalom, Joan Verdu from Andorra was the best HEAD Worldcup Rebel in sixth place. Clocking the fastest time on the second run moved him up another 13 places. World Cup points also went to Atle Lie McGrath from Norway in tenth place and Lukas Feurstein from Austria who finished 23rd. In the Slalom, Atle Lie McGrath finished sixth. Also in the top ten in the Slalom were Benjamin Ritchie from the USA in ninth place and Armand Marchant from Belgium who was tenth. Armand Marchant put in an impressive performance on the second run with the second-best time, while Benjamin Ritchie clocked the third-fastest time. Points were also picked up by Paco Rassat from France in 13th place, Dave Ryding and Laurie Taylor from Britain in 16th and 17th place, and Tobias Kastlunger from Italy in 22nd place.
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