Italian GS podium sweep, Myhrer wins final slalom

On the final day of World Cup racing in the 2016/17 season, Federica Brignone led an Italian podium sweep in the GS – the first time the Italian women have done so in World Cup racing since 1996. She was joined on the podium by Sofia Goggia in second and Marta Bassino in third. With a fifth-place finish, Tessa Worley earned her career-first discipline globe, besting Mikaela Shiffrin by 85 points in the standings.

“It was tough. Truly it was. I mean, I really wanted to ski with my heart, but my mind was always taking over sometimes. And in the second run, I knew I didn’t have a choice so I just went for it, kept it simple and I’m just really, really happy with the season. It wasn’t a dream! I mean, it’s true," said Worley with the globe in her hand. "I mean this season like I said it was a dream. Everything went so well. We worked really hard, but now I have it and the whole team has it, so I’m just really, really proud. There were some tough moments, but I made it, so I’m so happy."

Worley secured the first GS globe for a French woman since 1993. With her consistent podium results, Goggia rounded out the discipline standings podium in third. Brignone noted in the press conference that her ski technician was also the serviceman for Deborah Compagnoni when she led the 1996 sweep in Norway.

In a repeat performance from last season's finals, Andre Myhrer of Sweden claimed victory in the last slalom of the year for his first podium finish since St. Moritz in 2016. Felix Neureuther skied a blistering second run to move from sixth into second place. Austria's Michael Matt held on for the final podium spot in third. Marcel Hirscher led after the first run but fell back to fourth place, still he collected his fourth career slalom globe. It capped off a career-best season for the Austrian technical ace with two World Championship titles, two discipline globes, and his sixth consecutive Overall title.

"It is amazing. You know, we are often thinking about it – how many years it will be possible to ski on this high level – but at the moment it’s a lot of fun," said Hirscher. “Well, I’m hoping for it [to get even better] because otherwise then it’s better to stop at the moment. But anyway, it will be a challenging summer for me and for the whole team to be in shape for next season."

The 2017/18 World Cup season is scheduled to begin in Soelden, Austria, on 28 October.