The Speed Queen is back

Patrick Lang 04.12.2006 09:39 Uhr

Renate Goetschl claimed a fifth career win at Lake Louise on Sunday when she cruised to victory in the opening Super-G of the season. The Austrian veteran, nicknamed the "Speed Queen" by her team-mates, reversed the result of Saturday's downhill, charging through a light snow storm to beat by 87/100 of a second American flyer Lindsey Kildow.

Canada’s skiing beauty Kelly Vanderbeek took 3rd place 91/100 back – it’s her best performance ever on the World Cup tour and also the first Canadian podium finish in that competition. She was 6th in Friday’s first downhill and 4th at the 2006 Olympics at Sansicario, Italy.

Sweden’s Anja Paerson was 6th – not as good as she hoped but only 19/100 away from the podium. The reigning Super-G World Champion moved up to 6th place in the Overall World Cup standings, only 113 points behind the leader, Nicole Hosp. Marlies Schild, only 39th, didn’t score a point this time. She was 11th in Saturday’s downhill.

It was also a difficult day for Maria Riesch, 32nd and Julia Mancuso only 35th. Last year’s winner, Alexandra Meissnitzer, skied out of the course after a strong start.

Fifth win for Renate
After a tough weekend in the Canadian Rockies for the mighty Austrian team, the 31-year-old Goetschl restored some pride as she posted the 39th World Cup victory of her career. It also marked the 12th time Goetschl has stood on the Lake Louise podium and means she is just one shy of the six victories achieved here by Germany's Katja Seizinger the two-time Overall World Cup champion in 1996 and 1998 and Olympic Champion.

Goetschl already won two downhills in Lake Louise in 1999 and also captured two Super-G victories in 2000 and 2003. "The first victory of the season is always a special feeling, especially when you come back from surgery", said an elate Goetschl. "It's a wonderful surprise because you never now your limits at the season start."

"Yesterday was a big boost knowing I could go fast. It was just a matter having a positive attitude, accepting the weather and concentrating as hard as possible. I was petty mad, and even destroyed, after my bad race on Friday and I was seeking for better results over the weekend."

"Going home with a victory is more than I can dream of. I didn't expect it so soon. I really enjoy racing here, it’s nice and there is a good chance that I’ll be back next year. But don’t ask me about the 2010 Olympics – it’s too far ahead", she added with a big smile.

"This winter, my main goal is to be healthy and consistent, then I have a chance to fight for a Crystal globe or a medal at Are. Yet the season is long and you never know what’s next. At least I know that my skis run fast and that my training with my new staff worked well."

Third podium for Lindsey
Kildow, who won Saturday's downhill by more than a second, claimed her third podium of the weekend in the Canadian resort, having also finished second in Friday's opening downhill. She is now second in the Overall World Cup standings behind Austria's Nicole Hosp who came in a strong 7th.

Hosp, mostly a slalom skier, won the last Super-G from the 2006 season and she has excelled in all specialties so far this season with five top-10 finishes so far.

"Three podiums in three days, I couldn't expect more", said Kildow. "The confidence from yesterday really carried over. You always have to be happy when you're on the podium. It's going awesome, I already have half the podiums I had last year in one weekend. I’m now looking forward for a nice break at Park City before the next races. I don’t want to think too much about the Overall standings but just be as efficient as possible on my skis."

Go Canada, go!
Kelly Vanderbeek gave the home crowd reason to cheer as she captured a first career podium finish with a strong run. After several frustrating near misses last season, Vanderbeek would not be denied on home snow as she became the first Canadian woman to reach the Lake Louise podium since World Cup racing began for the women at the resort in 1989. Ski legend Nancy Greene won a World Cup giant slalom at Rossland in March 1968 after clinching an Olympic gold at Chamrousse.

At the Turin Olympics this year, Vanderbeek missed out on the Super-G bronze medal by three hundredths of a second. Then in another Super-G in Hajfell, Norway she was denied a place on the podium by one hundredth of a second when the first three skiers finished in a tie.

"It's my first podium and it's in Canada", gushed Vanderbeek. "Oh my God. I'm so excited. The best possible first podium would have been at the Olympics last winter, the next best thing is in Canada in front of my fans, my family and my boy friend. I'm just elated. I badly wanted it to happen today and I’m really proud of myself I did it."

"I knew it was coming. Last year being so close I learned the value of one hundredths. I knew I had a good run and I know when I have a run like that I can be in contention for a top result. I’m also so happy that three of my team-mates made it among the top-15, this is just great. I think out entire team can now seriously think challenging the old records from the "Crazy Canucks" from the 1970’s and 1980’s. It’s so great to share you joy and your emotion with the entire team."

Since the start of the season, the Canadian team excelled with one win and three podium finishes. Last winter, it scored a dozen podium finishes with Thomas Grandi, Erik Guay, Emily Brydon and Geneviève Simard who also made it among the Top-10 here.

The Austrian women had won all the season's technical races before arriving in Canada but looked like going home empty-handed until Goetschl's late flourish. One of her younger colleague had also a great run today in that Super-G, Kathrin Wilhelm, who finished an excellent 4th only 8/100 behind the podium. It’s the best result of an Austrian skiing on French Rossignol skis.

The women's World Cup now shifts back to Europe but faces an uncertain schedule with warm weather and a lack of snow forcing the cancellations of several races, including next week's events in Val d’Isère.