Smith and Chapuis take wins in the second race in Idre
Jan 20, 2019·Ski Cross
The second of back-to-back competitions of the Audi FIS Ski Cross World Cup in Idre Fjall went down on Sunday morning, with Fanny Smith (SUI) and Jean-Frederic Chapuis (FRA) storming to victories on the monstrous course in Sweden.
Fanny Smith continued her impressive streak with the fourth podium spot and her third victory of the 2018/19 campaign.
Smith took on a Canadian trio in the big final with Brittany Phelan, Kelsey Serwa and Saturday´s runner-up Marielle Thompson trying to bring home a podium sweep for Canada. But Smith took the lead straight after the first turn leaving her competitors behind to storm for her career’s 16th victory.
"I feel great, I couldn´t have a better place," said Smith. "It was a great fight again but this time I kept it until the end and I´m happy to finish with the win here in Sweden. The season is still long. I am trying to do my best at each race and I am feeling good. And I hope it will continue until the World Championships."
Phelan, who finished fifth in yesterday’s race, secured her first podium of the season after a huge comeback from the last spot in the heat, passing her teammates in the last straight section of the course in Idre.
Serwa finished the competition in third, also for her first podium finish in the 2018/19 season.
Local hero Sandra Naeslund was left without a podium spot on home-soil for the first time in history of the Audi FIS Ski Cross World Cup event in Idre. After a disappointing 17th place on Saturday, things went down much better for the 22-year old on Sunday, as the Swedish rider finished the second competition in seventh place.
Fanny Smith continues to lead the field in the overall standing with 405 points. Marielle Thompson sits in second with 320 points, with Naeslund dropping down to third place with 310 points.
Over in the men’s competition, Jean Frederic Chapuis was simply unstoppable winning all his heat throughout the day for his 16th victory on the Audi FIS Ski Cross World Cup tour.
Despite coming into the first turn in last position, Chapuis used his experience to take the fastest line and quickly move ahead on top of the pack, leaving his rivals far behind and crossing the finish line with a comfortable advantage.
The second place on the day went to Danel Traxler (AUT) for his second consecutive spot on the podium in Idre, wrapping up the weekend of racing with his career’s best performance.
Romain Detraz (SUI) rounded out the men’s podium in third, for his first podium spot in more than two years, after he won the race on home track in Arosa back in 2017.
In the men’s overall standing it’s still Bastien Midol leading the way with 335 points, with Alex Fiva sitting in second with 243 points and Jean Frederic Chapuis now jumping into third spot with 214 points.
The Audi FIS Ski Cross World Cup tour is now heading to Canada, with the final race before the world championships slated to go down in Blue Mountain on January 25-26.
QUICK LINKS
2018/2019 Audi FIS Ski Cross World Cup calendar
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