Alpine Skiing: Nadia Fanchini Victorious At Home

The heavy wind in La Thuile forced the organization to delay the race and lower the starting gate to the reserve position. After the delay, the Downhill was able to take place, much to the delight of the Italian crowd.

Joyful Italians

Only huge smiles were allowed near the Kiss and Cry, as the Italian Clan couldn't dream for a better day. Nadia Fanchini, who claimed the third place title yesterday, struck a blow this morning in La Thuile. She skied an error-free Downhill, staying smooth at every important section. She kept getting better and better to finish in first place on the Italian snow.

What makes her first ever Downhill victory sweeter is the fact she shares the podium with a teammate and friend, Daniela Merighetti. Merighetti was going through a tough season, coming back from an injury, until this so expected and wanted podium. The Italian racer stayed focus and skied sharp sections to land on the podium, at the third place.

Italians sign a good overall result today in La Thuile, placing 4 skiers in the top ten with Nadia Fanchini and Daniela Merighetti on the podium, Francesca Marsaglia at the 7th place and Elena Curtoni at the 9th place.

The battle for the Overall continues between Vonn and Gut

Lindsey Vonn bounced back after her fall yesterday and finished on the podium, in second place. She signed a great performance skiing a perfect top section. She lost precious hundredths of seconds on the middle part of the track and couldn't close the gap on Fanchini on the low section.

Lara Gut lost important points today for the overall, having a poor day on the track. She finished at 1.78 seconds back of Nadia Fanchini, in 11th place. The Swiss racer managed to ski a sharp top section; unfortunately, she lost all of her advantage in the middle part of the slope, which she badly negotiated.

The Downhill Globe for Vonn

Lindsey Vonn today won her 8th Downhill Crystal Globe, a month before the end of the season. This is her 20th globe, that makes her the first ever skier to win as many World Cup standing victories (Women and Men combined). The previous record was Ingemar Stenmark with 19 globes.