Slovakians win two out of three men’s races at Europa Cup Finals

Two Slovakians – Miroslav Haraus and Martin France – topped the podium on the second day of the IPC Alpine Skiing Europa Cup Finals in Obersaxen, Switzerland, on Thursday (17 March) with victories in super combined races.

Competing over super-G and slalom, world champion Haraus with guide Maros Hudik (1:46.38) eased to victory in the men’s visually impaired class. The Czech Republic’s Patrik Hetmer, guided by Miroslav Macala, (1:49.32) - winners of Wednesday’s super-G - had to settle for second whilst third place was claimed by Austria’s Gernot Morgenfurt, guided by CP Gmeiner (1:52.61).

In the very next race France (1:47.76) claimed victory in the men’s standing even though he finished third fastest in the super-G and fourth best in slalom. He edged out the Austrian duo of CB Schneider (1:48.51) and Martin Wuerz (1:49.28) into second and third respectively.

There was some home success on the second day of competition as two-time Paralympic champion Christoph Kunz won the men’s sitting by just 0.07 seconds. After the first run, the 33-year-old trailed Frederic Francois (1:49.29) by nearly half a second, but put in a terrific slalom run to push his French rival into second. Poland’s Igor Sikorski (1:50.27) was third.

After winning the super-G standing on Wednesday (16 March), the Netherlands’ Anna Jochemsen (2:20.58) again topped the podium on Thursday. Fastest in the first run, the 30-year-old world bronze medallist in this event held on for the win from Slovakia’s Petra Smarzova (2:03.11) despite finishing second best in the slalom run. France’s marie Chatel-Laley (2:07.53) completed the podium.

Belgium’s Eleonor Sana (2:12.48) was the only competitor in the women’s visually impaired race.

Competition concludes on Friday (18 March) with the giant slalom.

Around 60 skiers from 16 countries are attempting to secure overall men’s and women’s sitting, standing and visually impaired titles.

Points are available in each classification and gender from giant slalom, super-G and super-combined.

Complete results are available on the IPC Alpine Skiing website.