Nevertheless, the 19-year-old still managed to finish second in her first Elite World Cup race. Leogang World Champion Camille Balanche (SUI) secured victory. Australia's Troy Brosnan was jubilant in the men's race. Sophie Gutöhrle ensured an Austrian success in the junior women's race.
Local hero Vali Höll raced towards the finish in Saalfelden Leogang with a lead of over three seconds in her first World Cup appearance in the elite class today, as a murmur went through the crowd: The 19-year-old crashed on the last bend of all bends. After quickly picking herself up again, she even managed to finish in second place. It was actually a masterstroke, but Höll was initially very annoyed: ‘I'm really a bit annoyed with myself. I wasn't focussed enough, I was already thinking about the finish and messed up the turn. I'm just extremely ambitious and I'm used to other things. The fact that I still came second is extremely cool.’
Also because the winner is none other than world champion Camille Balanche. After winning the World Championship title for the first time last year, she was also delighted with her first World Cup victory: ‘Last year the World Championship title, today the first World Cup victory - every year I like Leogang a little more,’ said the Swiss skier.
Australian victory in the elite men's race
This also applies to Australian Troy Brosnan, who celebrated his first victory in Leogang, having already stood on the podium here three times. The 27-year-old thrilled the crowd with an extremely aggressive, high-risk ride. And that's what it took to blow away the French one-two pairing of youngster Thibaut Daprela and Amaury Pierron. An incredibly close podium that was ultimately separated by just 1.5 seconds: ‘The run felt so good today. I had a lot of confidence after yesterday's qualification and I knew that I had to take full risks at the bottom,’ said a delighted Brosnan, celebrating his first World Cup victory in four years.
Sophie Gutöhrle wins in the junior category
But there was also an Austrian at the top of the podium today. Sophie Gutöhrle from Upper Austria confirmed her strong form from the qualification and took the day's victory with aplomb: ‘It's a good feeling to start the World Cup like this. I got everything right today. The course here just seems to suit me.’
Ski ace as an onlooker
A downhill star from a different profession was an onlooker at the Mercedes-Benz UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Saalfelden Leogang today: Hahnenkamm winner Thomas Dreßen is currently spending his honeymoon in Leogang and was rooting for his two buddies, Loic Bruni (FRA) and Finn Isles (CAN), who he met during their joint physiotherapy session: ‘It's cool that I can take a look behind the scenes. It's really amazing what the racers do here and of course it's a dream that so many enthusiastic spectators can be there again,’ said the German downhill racer and Upper Austrian by choice.
600 spectators created a fantastic atmosphere in the stands today. Tomorrow the cross country races in the Olympic discipline are on the programme. The U23 women will start at 8.30 am with Mona Mitterwallner, the great hope from an Austrian perspective. The elite women with Laura Stigger will start at 12.20 pm and the elite men with Max Foidl at 2.50 pm. Remaining tickets are still available. Those who are unable to attend the double World Cup live can watch the final races on Red Bull TV and ORF.
