Snow and poor visibility put a strain on the athletes involved in the first day of competition, valid for the FIS Women’s European Cup circuit, which took place today, Monday 8 January, in Sestriere. The technical staff of the Sporting Club Sestrieres Organising Committee worked intensively to prepare the race course, which had already been affected by heavy snowfall in recent days.
The athletes competed along the Giant Slalom track on the historic slope Kandahar Giovanni Alberto Agnelli, which has hosted countless editions of major international events over the years, reconfirming the strong competitive vocation of Sestriere and the Vialattea ski area.
Protagonist of this first day of competition was the French athlete Doriane Escane, who was already in the lead after the first run, with a total time of 2:14.98, leaving behind the Swiss Stefanie Grob with a delay of 14 cents. Third step of the podium for the Austrian athlete Nina Astner, detached by 77 cents.
Among the Italians, the best performer was Lara Della Mea (Centro Sportivo Esercito), author of an amazing second run, with the best partial time, she managed to climb from twelfth position to fifth place overall. She was followed by Asja Zenere, Centro Sportivo Carabinieri, seventh, and Ambra Pomare, Gruppo Sportivo Fiamme Oro, eighth.
Such a pity for our Italian athlete, Elisa Platino (Centro Sportivo Carabinieri), second at the end of the first run, who was unable to finish her race.
Tomorrow the same programme will be repeated: appointment at 10.00 a.m. with the first run and at 1.00 p.m. with the second run of the second Women’s Giant Slalom of Sestriere, valid for the awarding of the Women’s European Cup.
