Miradoli Makes History with Stunning Super-G Victory
French skier Romane Miradoli,aged 27,etched her name in history on Saturday,securing her maiden World Cup victory in the super-G event at Lenzerheide,Switzerland. This triumph marked a significant milestone for French skiing, ending a 17-year drought in speed events.
Miradoli’s remarkable performance saw her outpace two of the sport’s biggest names: American superstar Mikaela Shiffrin by a margin of 38/100ths of a second and Olympic champion Lara Gut-behrami of Switzerland by 88/100ths.
Taking on the challenging course with bib number 8, Miradoli displayed remarkable courage and precision, navigating tricky sections with finesse. Her flawless run captivated the audience, which included tennis legend Roger federer, a local resident who witnessed the historic moment. This victory represents the pinnacle of Miradoli’s career, surpassing her previous best World Cup finish of fifth place.
The last time a French woman tasted victory in a World Cup speed event was back in January 2005, when Ingrid Jacquemod triumphed in the downhill at Santa Caterina, Italy. Prior to that, Carole Montillet secured a super-G win at Haus im Ennstal, Austria, in February 2004.
Miradoli’s recent success is even more remarkable considering she returned to competition just three months ago after a serious knee injury sidelined her in December 2020.her consistent presence in the top 15 rankings demonstrates her unwavering dedication and talent.
Simultaneously occurring, Shiffrin, who endured a disappointing Olympic campaign without securing a medal, bounced back with an 11th podium finish this season. This result bolsters her lead in the overall World Cup standings, extending her advantage over Slovakian rival Petra Vlhova to 67 points. vlhova, who finished 18th in the super-G, will be looking to close the gap in the remaining races.
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 now turn their attention to the giant slalom event scheduled for sunday at the Graubünden resort.
Miradoli’s Miracle: A Dream Realized and a Legacy Revived
There’s always somthing electrifying about a Cinderella story, particularly when it unfolds on teh global stage of professional sports. Romane Miradoli’s etched-in-stone victory at Lenzerheide wasn’t just a win; it was a resurrection. It resurrected French dominance in speed skiing,a dominance dormant for 17 years,and it resurrected Miradoli’s own career after a debilitating injury. to dissect this momentous occasion, I’m delighted to welcome Olympic gold medalist and ski commentator, Lindsey Vonn, to the show.
Lindsey, welcome! It feels like we’re witnessing a changing of the guard in women’s skiing wiht this new generation of French talent emerging.
Lindsey Vonn: Thanks for having me. it certainly feels that way! Romane’s victory is absolutely a game-changer. It’s not just about her personal triumph, it’s a testament to the strength and depth of French skiing. They’ve always had incredible technical skiers,but seeing this breakthrough in speed events is just fantastic.
Indeed, 17 years is a long time for a country with such a rich skiing tradition.
Lindsey Vonn: Absolutely. The last time a Frenchwoman won a world Cup speed event was Ingrid Jacquemod’s downhill victory back in 2005. To see that drought broken by Romane is truly inspiring, and I think it will motivate a whole new generation of French skiers.
Romane’s performance was breathtaking, especially considering she only returned to competition three months ago after a serious knee injury. did that surprise you?
Lindsey Vonn: Honestly, I am not surprised at all. Romane has incredible grit and determination.We all know the mental and physical hurdles athletes face coming back from injury. But seeing her push through and deliver such a dominant performance speaks volumes about her mental strength and dedication.
She beat some of the biggest names in skiing,including American superstar Mikaela Shiffrin. What do you make of Miradoli’s win in that context?
Lindsey Vonn: Brenda, it was a statement win. Mikaela is undoubtedly one of the greatest skiers of all time,but Romane outclassed her on this day. It’s a reminder that in sports, anything is possible on any given day. One thing I will say about Mikaela is that she’s incredibly consistent. She bounced back strong and extended her overall World cup lead with another podium finish. The battle between Mikaela and Petra Vlhova for the overall title is going to be one for the ages.
Absolutely. Now, looking ahead, can we expect to see more of this from Romane and the French team?
Lindsey Vonn: I certainly believe so.They have a young, hungry group of skiers who are clearly capable of competing at the highest level. This victory is just the beginning.
Readers,what are your thoughts on Romane Miradoli’s historic win? Do you think this is a sign of a shift in the balance of power in women’s skiing?:
