Smith and Andersson win at second Arosa SX competition
Dec 16, 2020·Ski Cross
The second of back-to-back nighttime short course events here in Arosa (SUI) is in the books. After the first competition day was nothing short of excitement, the second one certainly did not disappoint either.
Especially, since the course designers decided to make a little change to the element of the negative turn. That and the fact that it was colder tonight, which caused the course to be faster, added salt and pepper and pepperoncini to the competition of today.
After the pre-heat qualification rounds in heats of four were done and 32 men as well as 16 women were qualified for the finals, all was set for the great show of the night. We saw some epic battles through the Swiss short-course, but in the end, only four athletes made it into the big final.
Smith claims fourth Arosa victory
For the women it was Fanny Smith (SUI), who definitely had unfinished business with the top podium spot from the first competition day, last year’s Arosa winner Marielle Thompson (CAN), Alizee Baron (FRA) who made it into the big final back-to-back in Arosa and young Swiss athlete Talina Gantenbein (SUI).
Already standing in the start gate, one could see Smith’s determination in her eyes. The gate dropped and the heat was on. Smith managed to get in front as fast as a rocket to secure her first spot, choosing the fastest line, which she kept for the entire heat start to finish claiming her fourth victory in Arosa.
Thompson got into second position really quick and also managed to secure that spot, but was not fast enough to get anywhere close to Smith, who was in the lead.
22-year-old Talina Gantenbein (SUI) and Youth Olympic Games 2016 gold medalist had a faster start than the French veteran Baron, but nevertheless had to fight to keep her line and third spot. Baron came close a couple of times at the upper part of the course, threatening to grab that spot, but Gantenbein did a tremendous job in defending it, closing the door, not giving the French athlete any chance to pass.
With this amazing performance, the Swiss youngster claimed her maiden World Cup podium. On home soil, we might add.
To the question on where she thought she “won” the race, Smith answered: “I think my start was pretty good, the wutang was nice and then I just focused on myself and I think the course was pretty good!”
Fanny Smith has now tied the count of 24 victories with Marielle Thompson, which means that both athletes are getting closer to tie the record of the most wins by a female athlete in ski cross, which is still held by legendary retired athlete Ophelie David (FRA).
Another Swedish male winner
At the men’s competition, Switzerland’s Ryan Regez, last year’s SX crystal globe winner Kevin Drury (CAN) and the Swedish double Viktor Andersson and winner of the first race day David Mobaerg made it into the final heat of the day.
While it seemed that for the first elements of the course, all fourth athletes were pretty tight, Andersson took the highest line, which he was then able to use to his advantage in the first turn. In the following kicker he managed to gain enough speed to gain quite the margin, which he kept until he crossed the finish line, claiming his second victory in Arosa.
Swiss athlete Ryan Regez was clearly determined to claim a podium spot as well, but was not fast enough to pass Andersson. However, he managed to stay safely in second position.
It was only in the element of the negative turn, where Kevin Drury got really close and threatened to take that spot for a split second, but Drury drifted off to low after the negative turn and lost speed getting back into line, therefore the moment of threat was over.
David Mobaerg (SWE), winner of the first competition day, somehow did not manage to find his perfect line and generate the speed he needed to be fighting for a podium spot today. Sitting in fourth spot after his competitors placed themselves into podium positions, he was not able to pass. Not at the negative turn, nor at the finish roller section, which were the only two times, Drury had to defend his position in the heat.
In the finish, a relieved Andersson said: “Just the feeling of not having pain in the back today was super nice and “driving home for Christmas” – that’s what was going through my mind when I was standing in the startgate!”
The new World Cup leaders after the second race of the season are now Fanny Smith and David Mobaerg.
It is now time to pack things up and drive a little more than 600 kilometres southwest for back-to-back races in France’s Val Thorens resort on Dec 19 and 20.
Bon voyage!
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