From the point of view of the Swiss hosts, the start of the descent in Crans Montana was anything but ideal. Super-G Olympic champion Lara Gut-Behrami opened the race on the “Mont Lachaux” – and she didn’t finish, retired after a mistake. There was a brief silence in the finish area, where the fans euphorically waved Swiss flags.
But the hosts had other top favorites at the start. Downhill Olympic champion Corinne Suter, Joana Hählen, Michelle Gisin – the party in the finish area took off with every starter from the Swiss Ski Team more drive again. But nothing should come of a home win this Saturday morning (02/26/2022) in Valais.
Snowboard Olympic champion Ledecka wins
At the end of the day, the fans were able to celebrate something almost historic: snowboard Olympic champion Ester Ledecka rode to the third World Cup victory of her career, the second in a downhill run, and the first in Crans Montana.
With starting number eight, she ousted Norway’s Ragnhild Mowinckel, who had been leading until then, in second place (+0.21 seconds). Third was the Austrian Cornelia Hütter (+0.42).
Priska Nufer takes care of the Swiss happy end
And Switzerland? A runner, of all people, who was not on the radar, caused euphoria and bliss in the finish area. With start number 30, Priska Nufer finished fourth and thus achieved the best World Cup result of her career. 39 hundredths were missing for a podium place. But Nufer’s great performance makes the Confederates dream. The next chance for a home win or a podium place is already on Sunday: Then there is another descent in Crans Montana on the World Cup calendar.
