Ski-racers Farkasova and Bochet prove unbeatable

After three events at the 2013 IPC Alpine Skiing World Cup in Sestriere, Italy, Slovakia’s Henrieta Farkasova and France’s Marie Bochet are on top form, having won all races. 11 Jan 2013

France’s Marie Bochet won the women’s standing giant slalom on the first day of the 2013 IPC Alpine Skiing World Cup in Sestriere, Italy.

ⒸLiski

By IPC

“It’s just great how it’s going. After the first run I was in the lead. I’m more than satisfied to finished second in slalom.”

Slovakia’s visually impaired skier Henrieta Farkasova and France’s standing skier Marie Bochet have had a perfect record so far at the 2013 IPC Alpine Skiing World Cup in Sestriere, Italy, which began on Tuesday (8 January). Both of them have had three first place finishes (300 World Cup points) after two giant slalom and one slalom event.

Farkasova (1:59.66) guided by Natalia Subrtova has upped her game in the women’s giant slalom visually impaired, for which she was ranked second last season behind Russia Alexandra Frantseva, and maintained her dominance in the slalom. Frantseva (2:00.45) guided by Pavel Zabotin was not far behind in second place in the women’s slalom visually impaired. Australia's Jess Gallagher (2:15.26) finished third, guided by Eric Bickerton.

"Nice to be back skiing on the World Cup today, a 3rd place but lots of work to do to catch the top girls! Another race tomorrow! #backtowork," Gallagher tweeted from @JessGallagher86.

Bochet (1:52.40) had an impeccable technique, easily taking first place in the women’s slalom standing event. USA’s Allison Jones (1:57.30) finished second and Germany’s Andrea Rothfuss (1:59.57), who does not favour the event, placed third.

In all other slalom races, new first place finishers stepped forward after two days of giant slalom.

Austria’s Claudia Loesch, who won both women’s giant slalom sitting races, crashed out on the first run of the slalom, allowing Germany’s Anna Schaffelhuber to move into pole position. USA’s Laurie Stephens was second, followed by teammate Stephani Victor.

In the men’s giant slalom standing, the top three racers finished within a second of each other. Russia’s Alexandr Alyabyev (1:42.62) reasserted his dominance in the discipline to come first. Austria’s Matthias Lanzinger (1:43.17) was just over half a second behind in second place. With 260 points, Lanzinger now leads the men’s standing rankings

“It’s just great how it’s going,” said Lanzinger on his website www.lanzi.at. “After the first run I was in the lead. I’m more than satisfied to finished second in slalom.”

France’s Vincent Gauthier-Manuel (1:43.44), who won the men’s standing trophy at last season’s World Cup, came third. Australia’s Mitch Gourley crashed out on the second run.

The battle for first place was even closer in the men’s slalom visually impaired, with just 0.29 standing between the first and second place.

Slovakia’s Miroslav Haraus (1:42.23) guided by Maria Zatovicova came first followed by Spain’s Yon Santacana Maiztegui (1:42.52) guided by M Galindo Garces. Canada’s Chris Williamson (1:44.77) was third with guide Robin Femy.

Last season’s men’s slalom sitting World Cup winner Philipp Bonadimann of Austria finished a disappointing fourth, allowing Japan’s Takeshi Suzuki (1:44.75) to storm ahead in first place. Croatia’s Dino Sokolovic (1:46.41), who ranked 15th last season, finished second – his first ever World Cup podium finish. Austria’s Dietmar Dorn (1:49.60) was third.

Racing continues on Friday (11 January) with the second slalom event. For full results, please visit the IPC Alpine Skiing calendar and results.