Bochet amongst skiers to secure downhill double

French Paralympic and world champion Marie Bochet wins her latest race at the IPC Alpine Skiing World Cup in Tignes, France. 28 Jan 2016

Three women alpine skiers pose with their medals from a World Cup

From left, Andrea Rothfuss, Marie Bochet and Anna Jochemsen pose with their medals from the 2016 IPC Alpine Skiing World Cup in Tignes, France.

ⒸGrégory Picout Lrah

France’s world and Paralympic champion Marie Bochet was amongst a series of skiers to win their second downhill race in as many days at the IPC Alpine Skiing World Cup in Tignes, France, on Thursday (28 January).

Bochet is unbeaten so far this season in the women’s standing, with her latest triumph coming in the first speed races of the season on Wednesday (27 January).

On Thursday, the 11-time world champion put in a 1:18.20 run to secure the victory over Germany’s Andrea Rothfuss (1:21.46). The Netherlands’ Anna Jochemsen (1:23.83) was third.

Austria’s Paralympic champion Markus Salcher (1:12.93) once again finished first over Russia’s world champion Alexey Bugaev (1:15.45), who was in second in the men’s standing.

The slopes of Tignes have been fruitful for Salcher. The 24-year-old has won every downhill World Cup race at the venue for the past four seasons.

Switzerland’s Thomas Pfyl (1:15.62) finished just behind to claim third.

In the women’s sitting, Germany’s Anna-Lena Forster (1:21.60) doubled up on her downhill success from the previous day. Japan’s Momoka Muraoka (1:22.06) was second, followed by the USA’s Laurie Stephens (1:23.89).

Canada’s Kurt Oatway (1:12.35) followed on from his first career speed World Cup win on Wednesday with another in the men’s sitting. France’s Frederic Francois (1:13.35) provided further excitement for the French crowd in second place, edging New Zealand’s world champion Corey Peters by just 0.10 seconds (1.13.45).

Oatway’s teammate Mac Marcoux (1:13.08), guided by his brother BJ, were the victors in the men’s visually impaired. Marcoux repeated his success from 24 hours prior, this time leading Slovakia’s Miroslav Haraus (1:14.69) and guide Maros Hudik.

Italy’s Giacomo Bertagnolli (1:14.84), with guide Fabrizio Casal, completed the top three.

Rounding off the action were Belgium’s Eleonor Sana (1:25.66), guided by Chloe Sana, in the women’s visually impaired.

Full results can be found at www.paralympic.org/alpine-skiing/calendar-and-results.

There will be more speed racing from Tignes on Friday (29 January) with two super-G events.

Updates and pictures are available @IPCAlpine and Facebook.com/IPCAlpine.