Britain's female snow stars in the world cup points in Italy
16th January 2004Britain’s leading female snowsport athletes were back on world cup points scoring form today in Italy as Chemmy Alcott (21, Hove,) of The British Land Alpine Ski Team scored her seventh top 30 result of the season with a 19th place in Super G in Cortina in the Audi FIS Alpine World Cup, to move up to 22nd place on the world ranking. At virtually the same time in Arosa, Zoe Gillings (18, Isle of Man) maintained her grip on her world ranking of three as she finished in fourth place in the Nokia FIS Snowboard World Cup Boardercross event.
After a couple of slightly disappointing results on Sunday and this week, which did not quite match up to her heightened expectations, Alcott bounced back with a renewed, slightly more relaxed focus, more at home with her rise into the top start group.
“ It was pretty tough to come back after the last couple of races so I am pleased with today’s result. Sure, there were a couple of areas I could have saved a few tenths and it is so tight that four or five tenths of a second saved would have got me into the top ten, but I am really happy.” Admitted Alcott,
“ It was very fast and a bit cut up in places and it hard to stay on the line when it is juddery and you get thrown in the rut but really it felt good.” Chemmy explained, “ I know I lost a couple of tenths on my pole plant as I left the start hut so it always good to know where you can get to if I could cut out these little mistakes.”
“The last couple of races were perhaps a bit of a reality check in some senses and I feel like I have come back from that, which was important for me. Now I am really looking forward to tomorrow’s downhill, which should be great. I have made such a big step forward this season in terms of the Olymics and everything.”
Alcott is scheduled to start with bib number 11 in tomorrow’s downhill.
Austria’s Renate Goetschl won in a time of 1 minute 10.59 seconds, her fourth win of the season, while Alcott skied to 1 minuter 12.3 seconds.
In Arosa, where the snowboarders face an equally demanding schedule with back to back contests on successive days, Gillings was equally pleased to have held on to her third place standing overall, particularly as she drew level on equal points with the Swedish girl Maria Danielson who is credited with second.
Gillings again qualified in second place and was second in the first run of the final, but in her final run clashed with another rider early in the contest which forced her to land four metres off course after the jump and only just manage to hold it together for the next feature.
“ I know that I have a win in me and do great in the qualifying runs so I am sure that if I can just stay upright in the final and not get into trouble I can do it. Last year I was so pleased to just be qualifying now I feel I am really competitive and can take on anyone." Comments Gillings.
Results:
Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup, Cortina, Italy,
Womens’ Super G:
1 R Goetschl (aut) 1:10.59,
2 M Ertle (Ger) 1:10.92,
3 H Gerg (Ger) 1:11.02,
4 C Montillet (Fra) 1:11.1,
5 F Aufdenblatzen (Sui) 1:11.43,
19 C Alcott (GBR) 1:12.30,.
Nokia FIS SnowboardWorld Cup Boardercross standings:
1 K Ruby (Fra) 2000,
2 M Danielsson (Swe) 1400pts,
3 Z Gillings (GBR) 1400pts.