Switzerland Wins Mixed Parallel SL At World Cup Finals

With the transition from speed to tech events, athletes first tackled the mixed team parallel event in Meribel (FRA) today. Nations took different approaches in which athletes they fielded for the event, some more experienced racers, whilst others gave the chance to their junior races to shine in the light. Austria, were looking to be strong favourites heading into the competition after winning the gold at the Olympics, whilst critics were sceptical of the predominately junior Swiss team.

The first astonishment came when looking at the Swiss line-up for the team competition, which was held as a parallel race. Andrea Ellenberger from Nidwalden, who will be 29 next Tuesday, was the only one of the Swiss quartet with regular appearances in the World Cup. The two people from Graubünden, 22-year-old Fadri Janutin and one year older Livio Simonet, have had two and three top-level starts respectively. The 19-year-old from Valais, Delphine Darbellay, has not yet been able to gain any experience in this regard.

But the great amazement set in during the competition. Right from the start, the Swiss appeared refreshing and freed from the great pressure of expectations - and convinced from the very first moment. In the first round they beat Canada 4-0 and in the semifinals they defeated Germany 3-1 at the Olympics.

Even after fielding an extremely experienced team, which included Federica Brignone, Giovanni Borsotti, Marta Bassino and Luca De Aliprandini, Italy was knocked out by Olympic silver medallists, Germany. After beating Italy, Germany then confronted the young Swiss team and was surprisingly beaten three races to one. Landing themselves in the “small final”, Germany went head-to-head again Olympic bronze medallists, Norway, and took home 3rd place in the World Cup Final.

After beating Slovenia in the quarterfinals by a 0.13-second tie-break, the Austrian team comfortably claimed their place in the “big final”, beating Norway three races to one in the semis. The Olympic champions were probably not expecting to go head-to-head with the Swiss team. Nonetheless, the Swiss skied their hearts out and came away winning the event. 

Switzerland has won the team competition at the World Cup final for the fifth time. Ramon Zenhäusler and Wendy Holdener contributed to the last success three years ago in Soldeu in Andorra, when the courses were even more based on slalom.