Paralympic champions back on top at World Cup Finals

The world’s best para-alpine skiers claimed the top spots on the giant slalom podium at the IPC Alpine Skiing World Cup Finals on Tuesday (3 February), with three Paralympic champions sealing wins in St. Moritz, Switzerland.

Canada’s Paralympic title holder Mac Marcoux (1:53.97) and guide Robin Femy secured a narrow win over Slovakia’s Jakub Krako (1:54.20), guided by Martyn Motyka, in the men’s visually impaired.

Marcoux is aiming to peak at the right time ahead of the 2015 IPC Alpine Skiing World Championships at home in Panorama, Canada, from 28 February-10 March.

Russia’s Valerii Redkozubov (1:57.82) and guide Evgeny Geroev, winners of multiple World and Europa Cups in technical events in 2014-15, dropped down to third following a less than perfect first run.

The women’s equivalent featured the second win of the competition for Great Britain’s Millie Knight (2:18.01).

In the women’s standing, France’s world and Paralympic champion Marie Bochet (1:55.92) was victorious over German rival Andrea Rothfuss (1:59.23). The pair have swapped podium places all season, including a win for Rothfuss in giant slalom on Monday (2 February), but this time Bochet completed two fastest runs to take the win.

Russia’s Inga Medvedeva (2:09.79) rounded off the podium.

The men’s standing saw Austria’s Matthias Lanzinger (1:52.51) take his second win of the competition, sending a clear message to his rivals that he has the potential to add to his super-combined world title in Panorama.

Switzerland’s Thomas Pfyl (1:52.93) moved up one place on the podium from Monday to second, going fastest on his last run. Austrian youngster Nico Pajantschitsch (1:55.22) was third, stepping onto the World Cup podium for the first time.

Germany’s Anna Schaffelhuber (2:02.56) completed the trio of Paralympic champions to be back to winning ways in St. Moritz in the women’s sitting.

Schaffelhuber beat Austria’s giant slalom world champion Claudia Loesch (2:05.92) with the two quickest runs, as the USA’s Laurie Stephens (2:10.68) took her second podium in as many days.

Victory in the men’s sitting was taken by Stephens’ teammate Tyler Walker (1:55.62). Monday’s winner, German Georg Kreiter (1:56.04), was second as Austria’s Roman Rabl (1:56.62) put in a fast second run to seal the final podium place.

Full results are available at the IPC Alpine Skiing website.

Races continue in St. Moritz on on Wednesday (4 February) and Thursday (5 February) with slalom races.

The 2015 IPC Alpine Skiing World Championships in Panorama, Canada, will feature around 130 of the world’s best skiers from 30 countries.

Media accreditation for Panorama 2015 is also available.