Näslund was once again in a class of its own. The 26-year-old pulled away right after the start and safely celebrated her 14th win in a row at this level and her 34th overall. It was much more exciting behind the dominator. Shortly before the finish, Smith intercepted the German Daniela Meier.
After finishing 2nd and 3rd in San Candido in December, the 30-year-old from Vaud reached the top 3 for the third time in a row. In South Tyrol, Smith suffered a non-displaced fracture of the greater tuberosity on the left humerus after a fall in the second race. Now she appeared well recovered. In the first three World Cup races of the season, she was handicapped by the flu.
For Sixtine Cousin and Saskja Lack, the quarterfinals meant the end of the line. In the men’s category, three Swiss players, Gil Martin, Marc Bischofberger and Joos Berry, also qualified. None of this trio made it through to the round of 16. The Swiss men’s team is suffering from numerous failures: With Olympic champion Ryan Regez, world champion Alex Fiva, Luca Lubasch (all torn cruciate ligaments) and Romain Détraz (herniated disc), four drivers had to end the season prematurely.
David Mobärg, a local, also won in Idre Fjäll. Canadian Reece Howden and Mobärg’s older brother Erik completed the podium.
(SDA)