Kiwi ski racing superstar Alice Robinson (Queenstown, 21) has finished in ninth place at the FIS Giant Slalom World Cup held in Austria overnight. This is Robinson’s best Giant Slalom World Cup result since she took the win in Switzerland in March 2021.
Robinson said, “After a tough season last year I have been trying to build into this season step by step, trying to improve and build back my confidence. I feel like I am moving in the right direction, so I am going to try and keep that momentum.”
Great weather, firm snow conditions and a technical course played into Robinson’s favour from the first run, where she posted a solid time and moved into 17th place from her start bib position of 25.
The second run is where Robinson reminded everyone why she is always a threat to the podium when she pushes out of the start gate. Starting in 14th position Robinson had a blistering second run, the fourth fastest of the day, sitting in the top spot as the following nine racers made their way down the course.
Robinson explained, “My mindset going into the second run was to trust myself a little bit more, try and send it a bit more and push it on the ski. I think I did that, and I still know that I can clean it up further for tomorrow’s race.”
The top seven athletes from run one showed their class, each posting a slightly faster time as they followed Robinson, resulting in a ninth-place finish for the young Kiwi, +1.73 behind the winning time.
Robinson has swapped to a new equipment brand this season and has been working hard with her team to maximise the equipment over the last six months. She explained, “I am feeling more and more comfortable on my new equipment and feeling like we are figuring out the best set up.”
Michaela Shiffrin of the USA showed why she is regarded as the best in the world, taking the win and claiming her 78th World Cup victory of her career. Slovakian skier Petra Vlhova finished in second place with Tessa Worley of France rounding out the podium in third.
In reflection on today and in preparation for tonight’s race Robinson said, “I am really happy with my second run today, my first run was a little bit tough so I am happy, but also feel like there is a lot of things I could do better so that is my goal tomorrow, to clean up what I can.”
Robinson will be in action again in Semmering from 10pm on Wednesday night NZT in the second Giant Slalom World Cup race.
16 months ago