A fantastic day for Italian colours: Nicol Delago she finished ahead of everyone by winning the free descent Of Tarvisiovalid for the Ski World Cup, with a time of 1’46″28. Behind her, the German Kira Weidle-Winkelmann with a time of 1’46″48, in third place the American champion Lindsey Vonn in 1’46″64. Disappointment for Sofia Goggia who placed only eleventh at +1.35 from her compatriot. A dream come true for the 30-year-old skier from Bressannone in her first victory with five previous podiums in her career but never a first place. But it was an excellent day for the Italian athletes: sixth Laura Pirovano and tenth Nadia Delago who are among the top ten.
Delago’s test
Excellent performance, from start to finish, perfect skiing: despite a minimal flaw, she didn’t lose those cents needed to finish ahead of everyone on a special day given that her sister, Nadia, also finished in the top ten. A fast start, very regular on the skis and on the flat sections where you had to maintain speed and then make up a lot of time, in a great way, despite the fog. A fantastic race where she put her innate characteristics and qualities into play, skiing powerful but at the same time light, truly dominating all her opponents, even doing the final seconds very well.
Nicol’s happiness
“The podium in Val Gardena was also very nice but today it has a huge meaning. I want to thank those who have always been there and believed in me and us, even towards my sister“, Nicol Delago declared to Rai microphones. “I’ve always enjoyed skiing and speeding, now I’ve found freedom again“. Then the words towards her sister Nadia. “He had a beautiful descent, on the attack, even though the track conditions were not like they were at the beginning“.A victory, that of Nicol, which gives us hope for the Milan-Cortina Olympics: “Well, when you have good energy and you are calm then what comes is a consequence“.
Sofia Goggia’s race
Once again one of the most anticipated of the Italian athletes, Sofia Goggia never found the right feeling with the Tarvisio track: a slow start, the athlete from Bergamo always lost in the split times to finish seventh and then slip to eleventh place. “I certainly struggled more in these last two downhill stages right from the tests. I’m very aware of how hard I can ski but I’ve struggled to time the turn, feel free, but there are ups and downs. Today goes like this but I am very happy for Nicole Delago also considering the many moments shared together”, explained the 33-year-old from Bergamo. “Tomorrow is another day, there will be another discipline.
Given the progress of the season, I’m feeling better in Super-G. I gave what I had, I knew I had to invent something on this track, getting everything right from start to finish but then not being fast from the start is an inertia that takes you to the end”.
