Alice Robinson (Queenstown, 23) has continued her exceptional form in Italy overnight, finishing in third place at the second FIS Giant Slalom World Cup in Sestriere, marking her second podium in as many days.
Pleased with her result, but always looking for the win, Robinson said; “It’s a little bit bitter sweet, I was feeling really good and wanted to see if I could get a bit of revenge for yesterday! I think I just wanted to push, didn’t find the limit on the top and made a mistake and lost time.”
Robinson has been incredibly consistent this season, skiing her way onto the podium at every Giant Slalom World Cup race she has finished.
The weather was foggy in Sestriere but the snow conditions were good. After the first run the race was incredibly tight - Robinson had the lead but with the top 14 racers all within one second of her, it was going to be a tightly fought second run. Switzerland’s Lara Gut-Behrami was sitting in second, with Canadian Britt Richardson skiing up from bib 21 into third place.
After her first run Robinson explained; “It was quite a different feeling to yesterday, yesterday it felt so easy – the snow was smooth, the light was perfect and the courses were really rhythmical. Today it was fast, bumpy and dark so it was quite different but I am happy I was able to charge and put down a good run.”
Heading into run two, Robinson focussed on executing technically sound, solid skiing on the course that was getting bumpy, but a small mistake in the top section resulted in a reduction in pace as she approached the flatter section of the course.
Robinson explained; “I wanted a bit more today, I just tried to push a little bit too hard out of the start gate and made that mistake but I think I skied the bottom quite well. I am a bit disappointed with the mistake but we do have a few more races to try and get one up and I am really happy with how far my consistency has come.”
Federica Brignone of Italy charged from fourth place into the top spot and took the win by -0.77 seconds over Gut-Behrami who finished in second place. Robinson finished in third just +0.79 behind Brignone.
When asked about Brignone’s excellent form, Robinson said; “She has been on fire across all disciplines, so it is cool that I get to have a fight with her in GS, she is skiing amazing and I am trying my best to keep up!”
Robinson will now switch gears and equipment as she heads into the Downhill and Super G World Cup in Kvitfjell, Norway next weekend.
26 days ago