Alpine ski World Cup 23/24: Marta Bassino claims first-ever downhill race victory with Crans Montana win
The reigning Super G world champion spearheaded an Italian 1-2 podium finish with Federica Brignone finishing second. Pace-setting Swiss skier Lara Gut-Behrami had to be content with third place after winning the downhill race the day before.
Alpine Skiing
Marta Bassino claimed her first ever FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup downhill victory on Saturday (17 February), winning the women's race in Crans Montana, Switzerland,
Bassino shared the podium with Federica Brignone for an Italian 1-2 finish. The pace-setting Lara Gut-Behrami of Switzerland, who won the downhill race the day before, had to settle for third place.
Wearing bib number three, Bassino’s blistering start at the top of the piste laid the foundation for her first victory in just over a year, as she also finished strongly with a time of one minute, 26.84 seconds (1:26.84).
"Finally. I am really happy about the result. It is really nice to be back on top even if it is in downhill," Bassino said in an interview with the FIS.
"I didn't expect to win a race, but I am really happy. It is really emotional after a season that has not been easy."
Brignone landed her eighth podium of the season finishing 0.54s behind her compatriot.
Looking for a fifth victory on the trot, Gut-Behrami could not match Bassino’s speed at the top of the hill, finishing more than a second off the pace. Launching a late charge wearing bib number 28, Elvedina Muzaferija nearly caused an upset with a superb run, finishing fourth with a time of 1:28.06.
Race for crystal globes intensifies
Three-time Olympic medallist Gut-Behrami extended her lead at the top of the 2023/24 overall World Cup standings. She now has a 165-point advantage over the injured Mikaela Shiffrin. Shiffrin is expected to make her return to World Cup competition on 9-10 March when slalom and giant slalom races are scheduled in Are, Sweden.
The American had been sidelined following her crash in the Cortina d’Ampezzo downhill on 26 January.
Gut-Behrami also moved to the top of the downhill standings, relegating the injured Sofia Goggia to second place. Goggia will miss the rest of the season after she crashed in training, which resulted in an injury to her right leg.
Crans Montana, FIS World Cup: Results from women's downhill, 17 February 2024 (top 10):
- Marta Bassino (ITA) 1:26.84
- Federica Brignone (ITA) +0.54
- Lara Gut-Behrami (SUI) +1.11
- Elvedina Muzaferija (BIH) +1.22
- Laura Pirovano (ITA) +1.24
- Ariane Raedler (AUT) +1.25
- Ragnhild Mowinckel (NOR) +1.47
- Kajsa Vickhoff Lie (NOR) +1.76
- Laura Gauche (FRA) +1.80
- Ilka Stuhec (SLO) +1.85