Wright Top 20, Winters Top 30 in Tough World Cup Conditions

The Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team was back in action Sunday with a women’s Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup super-G in St. Anton, Austria and a men’s World Cup slalom in Wengen, Switzerland. In St. Anton, Bella Wright lead the way for the women with a 19th place, moving up from bib 42. Luke Winters was the top U.S. man, taking 24th place and scoring World Cup points. 

“It was a bumpy ride," said Wright. "It was dark and a really tough day overall. I am really happy with my skiing down on the bottom; I felt like I was attacking more.”

The super-G win went to Swiss skier Lara Gut-Behrami. Italian skier Frederica Brignone took second, and her teammate Marta Bassino landed in third. Breezy Johnson, Tricia Mangan and Keely Cashman did not finish. The race was forced to end early due to high winds and Lauren Macuga did not start.

Both races had their challenges. It was a dark and bumpy track for the women in Austria and a bumpy then snowy course for the men in Switzerland. Both Winters and Ben Ritchie fought their way through the difficult course to land a second run, but the snow came in causing more challenges to the already difficult day of slalom. Winters fought his way down to the finish in the top 30 in 24th position, while Ritchie did not finish.

“We have had a tough go the last couple of slaloms,” said Winters. “Today I did not ski great first run, but I got two through and World Cup points never hurt. I am looking forward to the next races.”

The winner of the Wengen slalom was Norwegian skier Henrik Kristoffersen, in second Swiss skier Loic Meillard and in third Lucas Braathen of Norway. Jett Seymour did not qualify for a second run. 

The next alpine races include more speed with the women in Cortina, Italy Jan. 20-22 and the men heading to the famous Kitzbuhel track Jan. 20-22.

RESULTS
Women's super-G
Men's slalom