Women's Giant Slalom in Soelden 2007

Ski2b 27.10.2007 15:13 Uhr

13:40:

On October 27, the alpine World Cup starts its new season in Soelden. Then the first giant slalom of the winter 2007/2008 will begin at 09.45 a.m.



09:25:

Hello and welcome to the World Cup opening 2007/2008 in Sölden. Today the alpine skiing events starts with the ladies' giant slalom first.



09:30:

It's getting serious for the athletes again, preparation time ist over. We'll see about their performance after the first heat.



09:31:

All in all 68 athletes will participate in the first race of the season.



09:33 - Hölzl, Kathrin (GER):

Kathrin Hölzl will be the first one on the course. She finished second in giant slalom at the World-Cup final in Lenzerheide.



09:35 - Riesch, Maria (GER):

Maria Riesch finally wants to attack in the front again. She has starting number 17.



09:37 - Rebensburg, Viktoria (GER):

There are to further athletes starting for Germany today: Viktoria Rebensburg with starting number 20 and Carolin Fernesbner with starting number 37.



09:40 - Hosp, Nicole (AUT):

Favorite is again an Austrian. Niki Hosp with starting number 2 will try to tie in with her performance last winter. There she was the best athlete in giant slalom and won the overall World Cup as well.



09:43 - Schild, Marlies (AUT):

Hosp's competitor Schild did not get the crystal bowl in the end. She'll try to perform better this season.



09:45:

But the other Austrian ladies, all in all ten athletes, have also good chances to win.



09:47:

The conditions are very good today, the sun is shining and the temperatures are about zero degree celsius.



09:49:

The forerunners are already on the track. So it looks just like the first giant slalom of the season is going to start in time.



09:50 - Hölzl, Kathrin (GER):

Kathrin Hölzl has just opened the skiing season 2007/2008.



09:52 - Hölzl, Kathrin (GER):

Hölzl clocks the first time of the season: 1:10,59 minutes.



09:53 - Hosp, Nicole (AUT):

Now for the most successful athlete of last winter. Niki Hosp puts down a far better run than Hölzl.



09:55 - Pietilae-Holmner, Maria (SWE):

Maria Pietilae-Holmner is the third one on the track. She already lies behind above. The Swede comes along with the scarp very well though and can make up some time there. It's still not enough for the best time.



09:58 - Zettel, Kathrin (AUT):

Kathrin Zettel with a mulled run. We've seen her doing better in the training. The Austrian is behind Hosp with 1,5 seconds!



09:59 - Poutiainen, Tanja (FIN):

Tanja Poutiainen with a good start. At the intermediate time she lies behind with only two hundreth. New best time for the Finn!



10:02 - Kirchgasser, Michaela (AUT):

Michaela Kirchgasser has to be content with a lag of more than one second. She's currently ranked fifth.



10:03 - Mancuso, Julia (USA):

Julia Mancuso can't keep up with the best ones in the first heat. She finishes in 5th place.



10:04 - Zahrobska, Sarka (CZE):

Sarka Zahrobska is the next one: she is not fast enough. Seventh place for her currently.



10:08 - Jacquemod, Ingrid (FRA):

Ingrid Jacquemod is already behind at the upper part. The Frenchman is performing better at the steep part. Currently fifth place together with Mancuso.



10:10 - Görgl, Elisabeth (AUT):

Now for the fourth Austrian Lizzy Görgl. She starts with a different ski brand than the last years. It works good, fourth place so far.



10:12 - Schild, Marlies (AUT):

Marlies Schild with a fresh start. But then a mistake, that costs time. One second behind at the intermediate time already. Then another mistake, 1,99 seconds behind Poutiainen in the finish.



10:13 - Mölgg, Manuela (ITA):

Manuela Mölgg delivers a good run, even though she makes a mistake when entering the steep section. Currently place 9 for her.



10:15 - Gius, Nicole (ITA):

Her team mate Nicole Gius even performs better. Nice run, that makes fourth place.



10:17 - Pärson, Anja (SWE):

Anja Pärson seems to be very concentrated. The Swede still makes too many mistakes. She could do better! In the finish, she is behind with 1,37 seconds - that's a lot!



10:20 - Karbon, Denise (ITA):

Strong performance from Denise Karbon. The Italian is speeding but not without mistakes. She just lacks 17 hundreth for the best time, that makes the second place for her.



10:21 - Fischbacher, Andrea (AUT):

Now for Andrea Fischbacher. The Autrian with some mistakes, especially at the steep part. Tenth place for her currently.



10:23 - Riesch, Maria (GER):

The second German starting today is Maria Riesch: she puts down a good performance at the steep section. Place five for her. She has good reasons to cheer.



10:25 - Zuzulova, Veronika (SVK):

The Slovak Zuzulova finishes as tailender. She is more than two seconds behind.



10:27 - Meissnitzer, Alexandra (AUT):

Good performance from Alexandra Meissnitzer. The Austrian lies behind with five tenth, but with ninth place still finishes among the top ten.



10:28 - Rebensburg, Viktoria (GER):

The 18 year old Viktoria Rebensburg is struggling hard, place 18 for her so far.



10:31 - Maze, Tina (SLO):

Now for the last winner in Sölden: Tina Maze won't be able to repeat her victory from 2005 as she already lies behind with too much time.



10:32 - Alcott, Chemmy (GBR):

Chemmy Alcott finishes in 10th place. She put down a good performance.



10:33 - Lindell-Vikarby, Jessica (SWE):

Jessica Lindell-Vikarby and Aurelie Santon both finishe beyond 20th place.



10:34 - Bertrand, Marion (FRA):

Marion Bertrand as well is behind with more than three seconds. That makes 23rd place for her currently.



10:36 - Drev, Ana (SLO):

Ana Drev with a strong performance. Tenth place for her so far.



10:38 - Stiegler, Resi (USA):

Now for the second US-girl Resi Stiegler. She is good at the steep section. Mistake at the gateway, that costs time. Place 20 for her.



10:39 - Suter, Fabienne (SUI):

Fabienne Suter is the first drop-out of the season. The first Swiss gets stucked to a gate and has a fall. Fortunately nothing serious happend.



10:41 - Robnik, Mateja (SLO):

Mateja Robnik is sliding way too often. She loses more and more time. Place 24 for her. That should still be enough for the final.



10:42 - Longhini, Hilary (ITA):

The Italian Hilary Longhini is behind with more than three seconds. That'll be close for the second heat.



10:44 - Vonn, Lindsey C. (USA):

Lindsey Kildow with a new name after her wedding. She's now called Vonn but is still as fast as before. Place 19, so we'll see her again in the second heat.



10:46 - Fernsebner, Carolin (GER):

Now for the last German. But Fernsebner loses too much time at the lower section. She doesn't make it among the first 30.



10:49 - Koehle, Stefanie (AUT):

The tenth and last Austrian Stefanie Koehle delivers a good performance. The 21-year old at her World Cup debut. Place 26th for her. That might be enough for the final.



10:50 - Barthet, Anne-Sophie (FRA):

Anne-Sophie Barthet with a surprise. The Frenchman is speeding and finishes in 18th place. Qualified for the final!



10:52 - Worley, Tessa (FRA):

Tessa Worley as well finishes among the first 30. That makes two young Frenchman with very spunky runs.



10:56 - Koehle, Stefanie (AUT):

It's slowly getting close for the young Austrian Koehle. She is currently in 30th place. Will she make it to the final?



11:01:

That was a thrilling first heat. 13 racers are lying in the space of a minute. That looks like a thrilling final.



11:02 - Poutiainen, Tanja (FIN):

After the first heat, Tanja Poutiainen is leading ahead of Denise Karbon and Nicole Hosp.



11:04 - Koehle, Stefanie (AUT):

The last one on the track is Andrea Jardi.She doesn't make it among the first 30, therefore Koehle from Austria will take part in the final. Congratulation!



11:06:

The final starts at 12.45h. We'll be back in time to report on the first decision. Until then!



12:43:

Welcome back from Sölden! The first heat of the opening giant slalom promises a thrilling season.



12:45 - Poutiainen, Tanja (FIN):

The first twelve athletes are all in the space of a minute. Tanja Poutiainen is leading after the first heat.



12:46 - Riesch, Maria (GER):

The German athletes performed well, too. Maria Riesch is currently ranked fifth, Kathrin Hölzl eights and Viktoria Rebensburg 25th.



12:48 - Hosp, Nicole (AUT):

Eight of the ten Austrians take part in the final. Niki Hosp is in third place.



12:50 - Koehle, Stefanie (AUT):

The forerunners are on the course already, The young Austrian Stefanie Koehle, who finished the first heat on place 30 will open the final. Today is her World Cup debut.



12:52 - Koehle, Stefanie (AUT):

Now for the first final of the season 2007/2008. Koehle clocks the first time of 2:25,98 minutes.



12:54 - Ruiz Castillo, Caroline (SPA):

Caroline Ruiz Castillo with less mistakes than Koehle. She is clearly faster, but loses some time at the last section. The Spaniard takes over the lead.



12:56 - Zuzulova, Veronika (SVK):

Zuzulova can't keep up with Ruiz Castillo at the upper part, but comes along better with the final downhill slope. First place so far.



12:58 - Lolovic, Jelena (SCG):

Lolovic already loses all of her winning margin at the upper section. She is even slower below and has to be content with the second place.



13:00 - Schild, Marlies (AUT):

Now for Marlies Schild. She is risking all to get as far ahead as possible. This run is better, but there is more into it. Schild is clearly leading now.



13:01 - Rebensburg, Viktoria (GER):

Now for the first German Viktoria Rebensburg. She is increasing her lead. Neat run and she has the lead!



13:02 - Zettel, Kathrin (AUT):

Kathrin Zettel even clearly underbits the German. First place for Zettel.



13:04 - Worley, Tessa (FRA):

Tessa Worley puts down a good performance again. The young Frenchman can't beat Zettel, but finishes in second place.



13:05 - Stiegler, Resi (USA):

Resi Stiegler obviously has some problems at the steep section. She still finishes in third place.



13:06 - Maze, Tina (SLO):

Maze with problems at the upper section. The Slovenian drops back to tenth place.



13:07 - Vonn, Lindsey C. (USA):

Lindsey Vonn has the same problems at the upper section. She finishes ahead of her compatriot Stiegler.



13:09 - Pärson, Anja (SWE):

Anja Pärson delivered a disappointing first heat. The Swede wants to attack now. But she already loses most of her winning margin at the steep section and is not without mistakes below, too. Third place for her.



13:10 - Barthet, Anne-Sophie (FRA):

Barthet with a fall at the steep section. She still makes it to the finish.



13:11 - Zahrobska, Sarka (CZE):

Zahrobska already lost too much time at the intermediate time messure. She is sliding too much and drops back.



13:12 - Mölgg, Manuela (ITA):

Mölgg only finishes in fourth place.



13:13 - Kirchgasser, Michaela (AUT):

At the finish, Michaela Kirchgasser lies behind with almost a second. She made too many mistakes.



13:15 - Fischbacher, Andrea (AUT):

Now for the next Austrian Fischbacher. She drops out after an inside ski mistake.



13:17 - Mancuso, Julia (USA):

Mancuso is the first one, who keeps her lead. She only loses two tenth until the intermediate time. Below not as good as Zettel but it's still enough for the lead!



13:17 - Jacquemod, Ingrid (FRA):

Jacquemod can't keep up with that. Fourth place for her so far.



13:18 - Alcott, Chemmy (GBR):

Alcott is the next drop-out.



13:19 - Drev, Ana (SLO):

Ana Drev with problems at the steep section. She finishes in ninth place only.



13:22 - Meissnitzer, Alexandra (AUT):

Alexandra Meissnitzer finished in ninth place in the first heat. No problems at the steep sectin. But she loses speed and drops back. She is even placed behind Drev now.



13:23 - Hölzl, Kathrin (GER):

Kathrin Hölzl loses four tenth on Mancuso. Too many mistakes. In the finish she is behind with seven tenth. She could have done better today!



13:25 - Görgl, Elisabeth (AUT):

Görgl as well has to be content with seventh place.



13:26 - Gius, Nicole (ITA):

Gius is sliding way too often. She drops back to tenth place. Julia Mancuso is still leading!



13:31 - Riesch, Maria (GER):

Now for Maria Riesch. She is not performing well. At the intermediate time she has already lost more than one second on Mancuso. And then she has a fall. Fortunately she stands up again.



13:33 - Pietilae-Holmner, Maria (SWE):

The Swede has a big lead on Mancuso after the first heat. But she already lies behind at the intermediate time. Ninth place for her.



13:35 - Hosp, Nicole (AUT):

Now for the top three! First one is Niki Hosp. She already has a lead of 80 hundreth on Mancuso. That should be enough for her. But also the best giant slalom racer of last season makes too many mistakes and drops back to tenth place.



13:37 - Karbon, Denise (ITA):

Denise Karbon takes over the lead. She delivered a great run. She is cheering at the finish.



13:38 - Poutiainen, Tanja (FIN):

Poutiainen or Karbon? The Finn has problems at the steep section. The lead is already gone. She loses more time below. Fourth place for her. That means no podium place.



13:39 - Karbon, Denise (ITA):

Denise Karbon wins the opening in Sölden ahead of Julia Mancuso and Kathrin Zettel.



13:41 - Karbon, Denise (ITA):

This is the second World Cup victory for Karbon. She celebrated the first one in giant slalom in Austia in 2003.



13:43 - Hölzl, Kathrin (GER):

The best German is Kathrin Hölzl who was able to keep her eights place from the first heat. Bad luck for Maria Riesch, who dropped out. Viktoria Rebensburg finished in 18th place.



13:45 - Zettel, Kathrin (AUT):

Kathrin Zettel achieved the top time in the final. The Austrian improved from place 24 to third place.



13:47 - Mancuso, Julia (USA):

Mancuso improved from 12th place to second place after all.



13:48:

Congratulation to the winners. That was it for the first ladies' World Cup race of the season 2007/2008.



13:50:

Tomorrow the men's giant slalom takes place in Sölden. The first heat starts as well at 9:45 h.



13:51:

After a break of two weeks, the women have to compete in the first slalom of the season on the Reiteralm.



13:55:

On Saturday, November 10, the ladies will compete in the slalom on the Reiteralm (AUT). The first heat starts at 10 h. Until then!