Italian Women Aim for glory at Semmering’s technical Races
The Women’s Alpine Skiing World Cup 2024-2025 continues its thrilling journey, shifting gears from St.moritz to the Austrian slopes of Semmering. This weekend promises a showcase of technical prowess as the world’s best skiers tackle the demanding giant slalom and slalom courses.
Mark your calendars for Saturday, December 28th, as the giant slalom takes center stage. The first run commences at 10:00 am, followed by the decisive second run at 1:00 pm. The Italian squad,boasting a formidable lineup,will be eager to make their mark. Marta Bassino, federica Brignone, Roberta Melesi, Asja Zenere, Elisa Platino, Ilaria Ghisalberti, Giorgia Collomb, and Lara Della Mea are all set to challenge for the podium.
Sunday,December 29th,will see the slalom specialists take on the challenging course. Giorgia Collomb and Lara Della Mea will be joined by Marta Rossetti, Martina Peterlini, Lucrezia Lorenzi, and Vera Tschurtschenthaler, forming a strong Italian contingent aiming for top honors.
Where to Catch the Action:
Fans can witness the thrilling races live on Rai Sport HD and Eurosport 1 HD.For those seeking online access, Rai Play, revelation+, Sky Go, NOW, and DAZN will provide live streaming coverage. OA Sport will offer comprehensive live text updates for those who prefer to follow the action in written form.
Brignone’s Focus on Giant Slalom:
Federica Brignone, a prominent figure in Italian skiing, will be concentrating her efforts on the giant slalom. She will be absent from the slalom competition, focusing her energy on securing a strong result in her preferred discipline.
Italy’s Standing in the nations Ranking:
As the season progresses, Italy currently holds a commendable fourth position in the Nations Ranking, largely thanks to the exceptional performances of its female skiers. The men’s team, however, faces an uphill battle to climb the rankings.
This weekend’s races in semmering promise to be a captivating spectacle, showcasing the exceptional talent and determination of the world’s best female alpine skiers.
Italian Women Poised for Semmering Success: A Chat with Former Olympian Silvia Berger
Welcome back, skiing fans! This weekend, the women’s World Cup circuit heads to Semmering, Austria, for what promises to be a thrilling showdown of technical prowess in the giant slalom and slalom. To break down the field and preview the Italian squad’s chances for glory,we’re joined by former alpine skier and Olympian Silvia Berger! Silvia,welcome to the show.
Silvia: Thanks for having me! I’m always excited to talk skiing, and this weekend’s races are shaping up to be incredibly exciting.
Wonderful to have your expertise! Let’s dive right in. The Italian women are coming into Semmering with a strong lineup. Marta Bassino, federica Brignone, Roberta Melesi— names that are synonymous with speed and precision. What are your expectations for this talented group?
Silvia: I think the Italian women are absolutely capable of dominating the podium this weekend. They have a fantastic mix of veterans and up-and-coming stars,and they’ve been performing consistently well throughout the early season. Bassino, of course, is always a threat in the giant slalom, and Brignone, despite focusing solely on the GS this weekend, could easily grab a top spot.
It’s interesting you mention Brignone’s focus on giant slalom. Do you think this strategy is wise,potentially sacrificing a slalom podium to hone in on one discipline?
Silvia: It’s a bold move,for sure. But I think it shows Brignone’s confidence and her strategic approach to the season. She excels in giant slalom, and doubling down on that could pay off big time in the overall standings. Of course,there’s always a risk,but seasoned skiers like Federica know what they’re doing.
Absolutely. Speaking of strategy, what are your thoughts on the Italian men’s team’s standing? Fourth place for the women is extraordinary, but the men are struggling a bit. What can be done to improve their performance?
Silvia:
it’s definitely a tougher road for the men right now. But I think they have the potential to turn things around.
They have some promising young talent coming through the ranks. It takes time to build experience and consistency at this level.I’d say focusing on developing the younger skiers and providing them with the support and resources they need is crucial for their long-term success.
Great points. Looking ahead to the weekend, what are you most looking forward to seeing on the slopes of Semmering?
Silvia:
I’m really eager to watch the battle unfold in the slalom. Semmering’s slalom course is notoriously technical and demanding, so it’ll be a true test of skill and nerve. I think we’ll see some thrilling races with unexpected twists and turns.
Well said! For our readers tuning in, where can they catch all the action?
Silvia:
Fans can watch the races live on Rai Sport HD and Eurosport 1 HD.
For those who prefer online streaming, Rai Play, revelation+, Sky Go, NOW, and DAZN will have you covered.and for those who like to follow the action in writing, OA Sport will be providing live text updates throughout the weekend.
Fantastic! Thank you so much for your time and insights, silvia. It’s been a pleasure.
Silvia: My pleasure! Good luck to all the skiers this weekend!
What do you think, ski fans? Will the Italian women dominate Semmering? Who do you think will be the biggest surprise? let’s hear your predictions in the comments below!**