Berchtesgaden, Germany (9 February 2019) – New Zealand ski racer Alice Robinson has won a European Cup Giant Slalom in Germany, the first NZ athlete to do so since Claudia Riegler in 2001 in Slalom. The 17-year-old now holds the world number one ranking for U18 ladies’ Giant Slalom and ranks second in U21.
The strong result comes as Robinson prepares to compete at the FIS World Championships in Åre, Sweden this coming week and then World Junior Championships (under-21) in Pozza di Fassa, Italy 18-27 February.
Robinson has been on strong form this season – despite a delayed start so she could sit her NCEA Level 2 exams – qualifying in 25th place for run two of the World Cup GS in Maribor. In World Cup racing only the top 30 racers qualify for a second run and Robinson is the first New Zealander to do so in Giant Slalom. Piera Hudson achieved a top 30 qualifying time in a World Cup Slalom at Killington, USA in November 2018.
“Alice’s performance today was outstanding,” says her coach Tim Cafe. “She’s had great speed in training all season, but it’s taken some time to transfer that to races.”
“I knew I had the capability if it all came together,” said Robinson. “Second run I had a few close calls so thought I had blown it but was happy to find out I had won.”
Robinson started with bib 29, skiing in to fourth place after the first run. With the start positions for the top 30 racers flipped for run two, she was 27th to start and had a few ruts to contend with on course but charged home for the win.
“I’m really happy! she said. “It’s all because of the support of my family and friends.”
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