Naeslund and Fiva crowned Ski Cross World Champions 2021
Feb 13, 2021·Ski Cross
What a day here at Idre Fjall for the finals of the FIS Ski Cross World Championships 2021!
Of course, everybody knows that this big, technical course at the Swedish resort promises pure excitement, adrenaline rushes and breathtaking moments, especially at the bottom section of the course, but what ski cross fans got to witness at the major event of the year was simply amazing.
Naeslund wins gold on home soil
The four women entering the start gate for the big final were truly some big names with winningest ski cross athlete Fanny Smith (SUI), 2019/20 crystal globe winner Sandra Naeslund (SWE), Utah 2019 bronze medallist Alizee Baron from France and one young athlete, who has made a clear statement already at the beginning of the season to be watched out for – Talina Gantenbein from Switzerland.
Besides Gantenbein, the remaining three athletes already entered the competition with medals from previous World Championships. Smith having four (gold, bronze, and two silver), Naeslund two golden ones and Baron one bronze medal to their names.
Naeslund was absolutely on fire on Saturday as she dominated every heat until the big final. No wonder, after an injury caused break from racing, it was her first competition this season and everyone who knows Naeslund also knows that she loves competing.
Shooting out of the start gate into the leading position, Smith immediately got onto Naeslund’s tails, taking advantage of her wind shadow. The two came really close until the upcoming bank, where Baron took the inside line and passing the Swiss, but the next bank was already coming up and giving Smith the chance to reclaim second position.
Meanwhile, Gantenbein lost her way somehow and was way in the back sitting in fourth position, which made clear that her fight for a World Championship medal was over.
Coming into the negative turn, it was still Naeslund in the lead and a split shock second for Smith, as she lost balance, however was able to save herself from crashing, only to find herself in another tricky situation coming into the final section of the course onto the “dragon back” element, where she almost fell again, but went for another save.
Naeslund still in the lead with the gold medal almost already in her hand seemed unstoppable and behind her, Smith and Baron were head-to-head, but finally Smith took the last roller section to her advantage and got into Naeslund’s wind shadow and into her line making clear, she would be faster than Baron.
Naeslund crossed the finish line first, winning her second World Champs gold medal after Sierra Nevada 2017, Smith won silver for the third consecutive time and Baron successfully defended her Utah 2019 bronze medal.
“I just can’t believe it, it’s amazing! It’s been a few tough weeks and I am really, really happy! But it was really tough! My legs were so tired already in the third turn of the course, but I fought the whole way down and managed to do good and get the right line, so I am really happy,” Naeslund said, clearly relieved and emotional.
Fiva becomes oldest SX World Champion
On the men’s side, defending World Champion Francois Place (FRA) was the only one in the gate with previous medals, veteran Alex Fiva (SUI), Swedish youngster Erik Mobaerg and British underdog Oliver Davies joined the Frenchman for the big final.
Place was quick as a rocket through the first roller section, but very soon Fiva came from behind to make a pass and getting in front of the heat, while Mobaerg and Place were fighting for two and three, whereas Davies fell behind into fourth position.
Fiva, being a fan of the big Idre course managed to stay in top position, also coming into the negative turn and the following elements with Mobaerg right behind him and Place in third until the first jump, where the Swede lost some air time, whereas Place could generate more speed, which he used for the second jump, coming into the dragon back and roller section, where it looked like Place had gained so much speed to possibly overtake even Fiva.
The heat got really tight and the battle for the gold medal went down to literally the last few meters of the course, where the athletes were pushing and giving it all they had to get through the rollers and into the finish.
In the end it was Alex Fiva, who claimed the World Championship title for the first time in his career and also set the record for being the oldest FIS Ski Cross World Champion ever at the age of 35.
Francois Place became silver medallist for the first time and Erik Mobaerg grabbed bronze and that also being his maiden podium in a FIS ski cross competition ever.
Alex Fiva, super tired, but super happy commented after the race: “At the last World Champs I was fourth and today I won, it’s just great. I mean, this morning at training, I couldn’t keep up with my teammates and all of a sudden it just worked out. I had such fast skis, I have such a great team, thank you to everybody, who supported me and now I am happy to go home and see my family.”
What an unbelievable show…
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