A first time for everything for Nufer

It was a banner day for Switzerland’s Priska Nufer. Not only did she earn both her first World Cup podium and victory, but she did so on home soil in Crans Montana just barely a month after battling Covid-19.

Nufer herself was nearly speechless after downhill victory simply saying, ‘it’s amazing to be sitting here on the leader’s chair.’

Second place went to yesterday’s downhill winner Ester Ledecka (CZE) who was a mere 0.11 off the winning pace. A familiar face rounded out the podium as Sofia Goggia got back to her podium form.

The race was a thriller from start to finish with les than one second separating the top 16 finishers. The top ten were only 0.55 seconds apart in what was the most hotly contested downhill race of the season. Picture perfect conditions and crisp blue skies provided the perfect back drop for the excitement.

Nufer had probably one of the longest and stressful waits of her career after coming down with Bib #2 and watching as the top contenders came close, but not close enough.

Nufer’s fairtale even managed to put the talk about the downhill globe on hold for the day. Goggia still holds the lead over Corinne Suter (SUI), but there was little movement with the points as the pair finished third and fourth, respectively. 75 points now separates the two with the deciding race coming at the Finals in Courchevel-Meribel.

Up next will be a rare speed/tech stop in Lenzerheide (SUI) next weekend with a super-G and giant slalom scheduled.