Hetmer pulls slim super-G win in Europa Cup Finals

Patrik Hetmer is on course to close his season strong, taking the super-G win in the men’s visually impaired at the IPC Alpine Skiing Europa Cup Finals on Wednesday (16 March) in Obersaxen, Switzerland.

The Czech Republic skier, with his guide Miroslav Macala, completed the course in 1:15.79, 0.06 seconds quicker than Slovakia’s second-place finisher Miroslav Haraus and guide Maros Hudik (1:15.85). Austria’s Gernot Morgenfurt (1:18.24), with his guide Christoph Gmeiner, completed the podium.

In the men’s standing, Austria’s Markus Salcher (1:11.47) proved why he is the super-G Paralympic champion. Salcher beat out second-place Thomas Pfyl (1:13.28) on his home snow for the top spot. Slovakia’s Martin France (1:15.01) rounded out the podium.

France’s Frederic Francois (1:14.38) took the men’s sitting win over Switzerland’s Christoph Kunz (1:15.73). Germany’s Georg Kreiter (1:17.16) completed the top three.

The Netherlands’ Anna Jochemsen (1:24.79) had a comfortable victory in the women’s standing. Switzerland’s Bigna Schmidt (1:27.76) took runner-up, followed by Slovakia’s Petra Smarzova (1:29.10).

Germany’s Ruth Hagspiel completed the super-G women’s sitting in 1:27.73. Belgium’s Eleonor Sana with guide Chloe Sana finished the women’s visually impaired in 1:28.74.

Competition continues on Thursday (17 March) with the super combined and 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.