Shocked Mowinckel won the downhill: – As an extra big Christmas present

67

Mowinckel had to wait a long time to set off in Saturday’s race in the Italian snow metropolis. Strong winds in parts of the track caused major problems for the organisers.

When she first got going, she delivered a terrific run and finished 44/100ths of a second ahead of home star Sofia Goggia.

– I am so sickly satisfied. I told the physical therapist that I think the big break saved me. I was almost a little too nervous at the start, and then it almost became a bit of a joke. We sat and ran a quiz at the top, and I was completely “off”. When I was actually going to drive, I was a bit like “are we actually going to drive? Well, then we can drive, then.” Then I just drove and didn’t think about any worries, Mowinckel told Viaplay.

Alpine manager Claus Johan Ryste was ecstatic after the victory.

– She was a bit shocked, because she hadn’t expected this. You will be as happy as for an extra large Christmas present. Very deserved, says Ryste to NTB.

– It was a fantastic match. It shows how good she is at skiing. It was simply a good run from top to bottom, he continues.

– Have struggled

Mowickel had three World Cup victories before Saturday’s race. Two came in super-G, while one has come in giant slalom.

With the triumph in Saturday’s race, Mowinckel secured Norway’s first World Cup victory in alpine skiing this season.

– Ragnhild has struggled a bit this year. She came out crooked with fluoride on her skis and not too good results. Now, first of all, I am very happy for her. This shows that all the hard work has paid off. A victory often comes after hard work, says Ryste further to NTB.

Mowinckel delivered good times all the way down the exit road. The closer she got to the goal, the louder the voice of Viaplay commentator Henrik Jonassen became.

– She crushes Goggia. This is absolutely insane. She may have done what she has dreamed of all her life, he shouted as she crossed the finish line.

Better relationship

Only Kajsa Vickhoff Lie of Norwegian female alpine skiers has won a downhill race in the World Cup. It happened last year.

After Mowinckel’s race, the times of several athletes showed that the conditions had greatly improved after the break in the wind.

– There are better conditions. It’s tough for Goggia. I think she had cashed in that victory, Jonassen said.

American Jacqueline Wiles surprised when she also passed Goggia and finished second. It was further confirmation that the conditions favored the late starters.

Vickhoff Lie finished eighth in Saturday’s race, 76 hundredths behind teammate Mowinckel.