Clara Direz stuns in Sestriere Parallel GS
Jan 19, 2020·Alpine Skiing
The Parallel GS tells a different story than the Parallel SL, and this story belongs to Clara Direz who won her first World Cup victory in the debut of this discipline.
Clara Direz (FRA), who had only one previous top-10 finish in the 40 last World Cup races, beat newcomer Elisa Moerzinger (AUT) in the big final.
The Austrian talent was competing in only her fifth World Cup race, and she failed to qualify for the second run in four giant slaloms she took part.
Marta Bassino (ITA) beat teammate Federica Brignone (ITA in the small final for third place, and Sofia Goggia (ITA) finished fifth to complete the Italian trio in the top 5.
Why did we say that the PGS tells another story? Because the Parallel's favourites have been eliminated throughout the race. Direz eliminated Shiffrin in the second round of the direct knockout format. At the same time, Anna Swenn Larson and Franziska Gritsch, both on St. Moritz Parallel podium, didn't even qualified for the final and Vlhova was beaten in the first round by Aline Danioth (SUI). Unfortunately, Aline fell during the run against Brignone and she suffered a tear ACL on her right knee and internal and external meniscus injuries. She will undergo surgery tomorrow.
Still, Shiffrin, who finished ninth at the end, extended her lead in the overall World Cup standings to 249 points ahead of Vlhova; while Brignone is now only 11 points further back in third.
After this exciting Italian weekend, It's time to move to the East side of Europe for a full pack of speed races heading to Bansko and Sochi.
)
