Sofia Goggia won the super-G in St. Moritz for her 23rd career World Cup victory, drawing level with Federica Brignone as the Italian woman with the most wins in the competition. Goggia said she was surprised by the result and had not felt especially comfortable during her run, but believed she had executed the course’s crucial sections well.
Starting seventh, Goggia had no other racers’ times to guide her. After seeing that she was 0.95 seconds ahead, she said she had to wait for the remaining competitors. She described her run as untidy in places and said she had to adapt on the fly, but felt she had made the difference on three key jumps.
The victory came in the first speed event of the season, following the cancellation of the two races scheduled in Cervinia. Goggia said she was ready to start racing in speed disciplines, while noting that the competition was strong. A downhill and another super-G were still to come in St. Moritz, and she said she planned to review her performance with her coaches before the next races.
Goggia also said the summer’s work had helped her progress, pointing to her three top-10 finishes in the first three giant slaloms of the season. She described herself as more suited to speed events but said she could not rely on those disciplines alone.
Her 23rd victory brought her level with Brignone. Goggia said the two athletes have different strengths—Brignone is more technical, while Goggia is more focused on speed—and welcomed the competition between them, saying it helps keep interest in skiing alive in Italy.
Sources: La Gazzetta dello Sport.