Frenchwoman Romane Miradoli Ends 17-Year Drought for France in World Cup Super-G

Miradoli Makes History, Ending France’s Speed Drought

French skier romane Miradoli achieved a remarkable feat on Saturday, securing her first-ever World Cup victory in the super-G event held in Lenzerheide, Switzerland. This triumph marked the end of a 17-year dry spell for French skiers in speed events, a testament to Miradoli’s remarkable talent and determination.

“It’s unbelievable. I’m still struggling to process it, it was such a fantastic day!” exclaimed the elated 27-year-old.Miradoli’s victory was even more remarkable considering she bested two of skiing’s biggest names: American superstar Mikaela Shiffrin, who finished 38/100ths of a second behind, and Olympic champion Lara Gut-Behrami of Switzerland, trailing by 88/100ths.

While Miradoli celebrated her historic win, Italian skier Federica Brignone secured the small specialty globe for the super-G discipline, solidifying her dominance in the event before the final race in Courchevel in two weeks.

A Triumph Against the Odds

starting with bib number 8, Miradoli fearlessly attacked the challenging course, navigating its twists and turns with precision and avoiding costly errors that tripped up approximately fifteen other competitors. Her performance was witnessed by tennis legend Roger Federer, who was present as a spectator near the finish line.

This victory represents a meaningful milestone for Miradoli, surpassing her previous best World Cup finish of fifth place. It also ends a long drought for French women in speed skiing.The last Frenchwoman to win a World Cup speed event was Ingrid Jacquemod,who triumphed in the downhill at Santa Caterina,Italy,back in January 2005. Prior to that, Carole Montillet secured a super-G victory in Haus im Ennstal, Austria, in February 2004.

Miradoli’s recent success is particularly noteworthy considering she returned to competition just three months ago after recovering from a serious knee injury sustained in December 2020. Her consistent top-15 finishes have demonstrated her resilience and unwavering commitment to the sport.

Shiffrin Rebounds, Vlhova Falters

Behind Miradoli, Shiffrin showed signs of bouncing back after a disappointing Olympic Games where she failed to medal in six races and suffered three DNFs. Her 11th podium finish of the season allowed her to extend her lead in the overall World Cup standings to 67 points over her Slovak rival Petra Vlhova, who finished a distant 18th on Saturday.

Other notable French performances included Tessa Worley’s sixth-place finish, Laura Gauché’s ninth-place finish, and Tifany Roux’s 25th-place finish.

The skiers will be back in action on Sunday, competing in a giant slalom event at the same Graubünden resort.

Miradoli’s Triumph: A Conversation with Ski champion Henrik Kristoffersen

Romane Miradoli’s historic victory in the Lenzerheide super-G sent shockwaves through the skiing world, ending a 17-year drought for French skiers in speed events. To unpack this thrilling win and its wider implications, I sat down with Norwegian skiing legend Henrik Kristoffersen, a two-time World Cup overall champion and Olympic medalist.

Me: Henrik, congratulations on your recent success in the slalom. Now, let’s talk about Miradoli’s unbelievable win. What were your initial thoughts when you saw her top the podium?

Henrik Kristoffersen: It was fantastic to see! Romane has been consistently strong this season, and to see her finally break through with a victory in such a competitive field is truly inspiring. French skiing has been a bit quiet in the speed disciplines lately,so this win will undoubtedly be a huge boost for the entire team.

Me: Absolutely. it’s been 17 years since a French woman won a World cup speed event. How significant is this win for French skiing, both in terms of individual achievement and for the sport as a whole?

Henrik kristoffersen: It’s massive. it shows that the French team is capable of competing at the highest level in all disciplines. Romane’s victory will inspire a new generation of skiers in France and hopefully pave the way for more success in the future.

Me: Miradoli overcame a serious knee injury to achieve this win. Do you think this adds another layer of importance to her victory?

Henrik Kristoffersen: Absolutely. It speaks volumes about her dedication, talent, and resilience.

Coming back from a major injury is never easy, and to not only return to racing but to win a World Cup race is truly remarkable. It’s a testament to her strength both physically and mentally.

Me: Let’s talk about the wider context. Mikaela shiffrin, arguably the greatest skier of all time, finished second. How significant is it for Miradoli to beat Shiffrin on such a big stage?

Henrik Kristoffersen: Beating shiffrin is a feat in itself. She’s incredibly consistent and dominant. For Romane to edge her out shows just how well she skied on the day. It was a close race, but Miradoli was clearly on fire.

Me: shiffrin’s performance also suggests a potential resurgence after a disappointing Olympics. Do you think she’s back to her dominant best?

Henrik Kristoffersen: I think she’s definitely back on track.

She’s a fierce competitor and will learn from the Olympics.Don’t be surprised to see her dominating again.

Me:

looking ahead,what are your predictions for the remaining races this season? Could Miradoli build on this momentum and challenge for more podium finishes?

Henrik Kristoffersen: I wouldn’t be surprised to see her challenge for more top spots. She has clearly found her form and has the talent to compete with the best.

It’s going to be a fascinating end to the season!

Me: Thanks for your time and insights, Henrik. This has been a fascinating conversation. Now, we want to hear from you, our readers! What are your thoughts on Miradoli’s historic win? Do you think this is the start of a new era for French skiing? Let us know in the comments below!