Val di Fassa, Italy – Elena Curtoniová of Italy secured a thrilling victory in the women’s super-G race at Val di Fassa on Sunday, marking a triumphant day for the Italian team. While Curtoniová celebrated her fourth World Cup win, Czech star Ester Ledecká narrowly missed out on a top-ten finish, placing eleventh – just seven tenths of a second behind the leader. Barbora Nováková, also of the Czech Republic, finished 45th.
The race concluded the World Cup program in the Dolomites, a venue where super-G has traditionally suited Ledecká’s strengths. However, despite a strong start to each of her runs, consistency proved elusive. According to reports, Ledecká demonstrated a pattern of excellent performance in the initial section of the course, achieving the third-fastest time at the second split, followed by a noticeable dip in pace before regaining momentum towards the finish.
Ledecká finished the technically demanding super-G course with the tenth-highest start number, initially holding a fifth-place position. Six competitors with later start numbers surpassed her, highlighting the challenging conditions and competitive field. Her best result of the season remains a third-place finish at Tarvisio in January.
Italian Dominance on Home Snow
The Val di Fassa event saw a dominant performance from the Italian team, with celebrations echoing throughout the finish area. While Laura Pirovanová didn’t replicate her previous success in the downhill events, and World Cup discipline leader Sofia Goggiaová also missed the podium, Elena Curtoniová’s victory stole the show. At 35 years old, this win represents Curtoniová’s fourth career World Cup triumph.
Curtoniová finished 0.26 seconds ahead of Norway’s Kajsa Vickhoff Lie, securing a well-deserved gold medal. The real surprise of the day, however, was the bronze medal performance of Italy’s Asja Zenereová. Starting with bib number 33, Zenereová, whose previous best result in the discipline was 20th place, delivered a stunning run and erupted in joy upon seeing her name in third position.
Nováková Falls Short, Season Finale Looms
Czech skier Barbora Nováková, starting with bib number 49, aimed to secure her first World Cup points but finished more than 1.5 seconds off the pace required to reach the top 30. The result underscores the challenges faced by emerging athletes competing against established stars on the World Cup circuit.
The results from Val di Fassa shift the standings in the super-G discipline. Sofia Goggiaová maintains her lead with 449 points, followed by New Zealand’s Alice Robinson (386 points) and Germany’s Kira Weidle (304 points). Ledecká currently sits in sixth place with 244 points, while Nováková is outside the points standings.
Looking at the overall World Cup standings, Mikaela Shiffrin of the United States continues to lead with 1141 points. Germany’s Lena Dürr is second with 1016 points, and Switzerland’s Lara Gut-Behrami is third with 963 points. Ledecká is currently 17th overall with 424 points, and Dubovská is 114th with 10 points.
What’s Next for the Women’s World Cup?
The alpine skiing World Cup season is drawing to a close, with the final event scheduled to seize place in Lillehammer, Norway, in two weeks. The Lillehammer finals will determine the overall champions in each discipline and provide a final opportunity for athletes to showcase their skills before the conclude of the season. Fans can expect intense competition as skiers battle for valuable points and the coveted World Cup titles.
The Val di Fassa super-G provided a thrilling spectacle, showcasing the talent and determination of the world’s best female skiers. While Ledecká’s pursuit of a top-ten finish fell just short, the event highlighted the competitive nature of the sport and the exciting prospects for the upcoming finale in Lillehammer.
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