Val di Fassa SG: Brignone wins, Gut-Behrami 2nd, Suter 3rd; Breezy Johnson tied with Alice Robinson for 10th and Vlhova down in 32nd.
Brignone skied that PERFECTLY, IMO. Better line than anybody, by far. Skied much less "real estate" and set herself up for the fall line. Great turns. FAST. Not LGB's best, but she is so damn fast that she can get away with a some less than great turns {a serious rarity for her} and still be right there. That's a BIG margin for Brignone. Suter is really consistent. Always.
Breezy J needs to refine her SG skiing. In fact, though I love her willingness to just "send it" at all costs, I think that this year may be a turning point, and this offseason and fall may be as well, when she listens a bit more and improves her game. All the talent in the world. There was good reason that she was tenth today. She probably did not execute on what was planned after inspection, and she probably would benefit from being a touch more patient. Note that Brignone, and Gut don't look all amped up and look a lot cleaner to the eye. When LGB is at her best, in SG, you can't imagine Breezy being within a second of her. But I think that Breezy is really knocking on the door.
This has been a year of learning and a lot of frustration {which I hear she has managed very well} for Alice Robinson. This is really her first year of SG on the WC. She is two years younger than anybody else on that starting list. Alice can send it, too. She is as strong as a bull, is smart, and listens. Her coaches are LV's former team. It's been a hard year for an athlete from NZ to be dealing with all of what COVID has thrown at the tour. Young, team of one, etc. She is going to be a force, once they refine a few things. I believe that her contract with MVD is up this season, and I would not be surprised to see a change. Not sure about the entire setup. The boots have seemed to either be great {once she was in the Lange clone}, or not so much. It's very unusual to have a contract run out BEFORE an Olympic year. I think I have this right. Could be a change on the way with her setup, and perhaps more. I firmly believe that she is going to be a dominant GS and SG skier, before long.
Not a good day for PV. It's not a huge deal, but going away with zero points in a SG is not what she had hoped for. Just adds to the pressure to make it happen in her best events. LGB leaves the weekend with a 187 point lead in the overall. IMO, MORE than she had hoped for, better than best case expectations.
So, on to Jasna and the GS and SL, then to Are for the 2 SL's...and two days later to Lenzerheide, Switzerland and the WCF's.
This should be a very, very exciting WCF's for the first time in years. Good to see.
Sending best wishes to Kasja, that was very tough to watch. Awful. And sending the same to Ms. Schneeberger. Ouch. Yes, they know it's part of the sport. Still tough to watch.
On the plus side, the hill, and the weather looked perfect. Such a spectacular part of the world. even before we discuss the food!
Best....