Robinson second in Cup final
Alice Robinson capped her most consistent season with a second in the giant slalom World Cup finals in Austria yesterday.
“I’m really happy to end the season with another podium,” said the 22-year-old. “This year, I may not have got a win, but I feel like the consistency in my skiing has been the best it’s ever been, so I’m really happy with that.”
Yesterday’s result at Saalbach marks Robinson’s fifth World Cup podium this season and the tenth of her career.
With only the top giant slalom skiers qualifying to compete at the World Cup finals, competition was expected to be tight.
With warm spring temperatures forecast, the skiers with lower bib numbers had their first run while the course was still firm and rut-free.
Robinson, in bib No 2, was quick through the first section of the course and maintained her speed throughout her first run.
After run one, the Queenstown skier was third, 0.85s behind leader Federica Brignone of Italy.
Starting third-to-last on run two, Robinson was again fast out of the start gate and progressed well through the top three sections.
As she came over the breakaway into the final pitch of the race, she had to work hard to maintain her form down the increasingly rough course.
“It was definitely tough. I find these conditions quite challenging with the softer, peeling snow, but this year, I have made a lot of progress getting better on different conditions.
“It was hot and I was feeling pretty tired but I wanted to give the last GS run of the year a good crack.”
Robinson did enough to claim top spot, and with just two skiers remaining, knew she had secured a medal, with just the colour to be determined.
Norway’s Thea Louise Stjernesund was unable to match Robinson’s pace but run one leader Brignone put down an exceptional run to win by 1.36s. Stjernesund rounded out the top three with her second career World Cup podium.
Switzerland’s Lara Gut-Behrami finished off an exceptional season by securing the 2024 Giant Slalom Crystal Globe for the first time in her career.
Saalbach is the venue for next year’s FIS Alpine Ski World Championships, so a podium finish for Robinson bodes well for next season. Robinson will be in action for the final time this Northern Hemisphere season at the Saalbach speed races this weekend.