First World Cup win for Manfred Moelgg

Patrick Lang 09.03.2008 16:36 Uhr

Finally! After a series of ten podium finishes in the past four years, Italy’s Manfred Moelgg celebrated his very first World Cup triumph at Kranjska Gora where he captured the last slalom prior the Finals at Bormio a day after finishing 2nd in Saturday’s giant slalom.

Moelgg, the silver medallist at Are in that specialty, clocked the fastest time in the first run in the morning and successfully defended his position in the afternoon as he beat by 41/100 of a second Croatia’s Ivica Kostelic and by 49/100 Austria’s newcomer Marcel Hirscher, the two- time junior World Champion in Spain two weeks ago.

France’s Jean-Bapiste Grange came in 4th to remain in command in the slalom standings with an advantage of only 21 points on Moelgg while Mario Matt, only 12th today, is now 3rd at 85 points.

Benjamin Raich skied out in the first run, missing his last serious chance to remain in the hunt for the Overall World Cup even though USA’s Bode Miller didn’t start today because of pain at his back. Raich is 264 points behind the skier from New Hampshire prior the Finals at Bormio.

Another Austrian, Reinfried Herbst, the winner at Garmisch-Partenkirchen, came in 5th ahead of Germany’s Felix Neureuther and USA’s Ted Ligety, the winner in Saturday’s giant slalom.

Moelgg has been often very close to this first victory in recent weeks – especially at Schladming where he made a mistake a few gates prior the finish line to finish 3rd in the race won by Matt.

He was 2nd in Garmisch-Partenkirchen behind winner Herbst and ready for this first victory after his strong giant slalom race on Saturday.

“I came again close to Ligety on Saturday and since it was my best giant slalom result for a long time, I was very encouraged prior today’s slalom,” the soon 26-year-old explained afterwards.

“It’s a steep and challenging slope which suits my style and I was ready to take the risks necessary for this first win,” he added.

“I was very pleased and confident after my strong first run. Before the second run, I knew it was up to me to perfectly finish the job. The course was rough and I almost lost my balance on the final pitch but luckily I managed to stay on my skis. I was not afraid and kept on pushing until the finish line. It was so great to see the number 1 finally raising next to me name after that run, this time I did it”, also said the Italian.

“I have been waiting a long time for this but now I’m having fun to have won a World Cup race before my sister Manuela who has been doing very well to this winter. I guess she will be encouraged by my wonderful results from here.”

“I’m looking forward to support her next week at Bormio during the Finals. The races will be exciting there as I aim for reach the podium in both technical standings. I have nothing to lose in slalom and it’ will be great to compete in front of my fans again.”

Ivica Kostelic was the first to congratulate Moelgg in the finish area after the race. The skier from Zagreb reached his third consecutive podium in slalom this season – his sixth in total. “Of course I would have been glad to win again a slalom this season and I gave everything I could today, but Manfred has been so often so close that I can live with the 2nd place,” he said afterwards.

“In fact I was thinking about this prior my second run – he is a nice guy and I have seen him so often frustrated when he missed his first victory by a few tenths only.”

“It certainly is a great day for him. I still have a chance in Bormio where I already won a race a few years ago. I’m having a great season and today I was again able to fight hard for victory as in Zagreb last month. It’s a strong feeling for sure.”

Ivica, encouraged by his entire family today including his famous sister Janica, has not won a slalom since his victory at Madonna di Campiglio during the 2003/04 season. He is 4th for the moment in the slalom standings only 18 points behind Mario Matt.

It was also a superb day for young Marcel Hirscher who turned 19 last week. The three-time junior World Champion – inclusive two wins this season – reached his first top-10 result in January at Adelboden and he started in 31st place today.

“I guess I felt relaxed and confident today after my good week in Spain so I was able to take great risks,” he explained. “I reached a huge goal today with this podium finish, it means a lot to me and my fans. I was qualified for Bormio as junior World Champion but it’s even better to get there being part of the 25 best skiers of the specialty. It surely has been a fantastic season for me.”

The next competitions are planned next week on Wednesday at Bormio where the downhills should take place on the treacherous “Stelvio” course. It has been snowing in the resort there but better weather is expected in the coming day.