Krezel sweeps Europa Cup slalom, giant slalom

Poland’s Maciej Krezel enjoyed a prolonged winning streak at two Para alpine skiing Europa Cups in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, and Zagreb-Sljeme, Croatia, between 13-16 February.

Two races in giant slalom were contested in Kranjska Gora from Monday to Tuesday (13-14 February), whilst the night slalom was in Zagreb-Sljeme from Wednesday to Thursday (15-16 February),

Guided by Anna Ogarzynska, Krezel secured wins in all four men’s visually impaired races.

He finished ahead of Australia’s Shaun Pianta and guide Jeremy O’Sullivan in both giant slalom, whilst Pianta himself ended on the podium twice.

Then in Zagreb-Sljeme, Krezel was once again the victor in the two night slaloms.

In the women’s visually impaired, Belgium’s Eleonor Sana and guide Chloe Sana topped the rankings in giant slalom and slalom to add to their medals in speed from the 2017 World Para Alpine Skiing Championships last month.

The Sana sisters did not have it all their own way, however. Croatia’s Eva Goluza and guide Ana Zigman crossed the finish line fastest in one giant slalom race.

In Kranjska Gora, Austria’s Worlds men’s slalom standing silver medallist Thomas Grochar turned his attention to the giant slalom. He took the win in both races ahead of teammate Martin Wuerz, who himself reached the top three on both occasions.

However in the absence of Grochar in Zagreb-Sljeme, Wuerz took over the slope and stormed to two victories of his own in slalom.

Finland’s Santeri Kiiveri and Great Britain’s James Whitley were second and third respectively on both slalom days.

Germany’s World Championships slalom bronze medallist Anna-Marie Rieder took charge of the women’s giant slalom standing, winning her two races.

Spain’s Ursula Pueyo Marimon was second, before claiming her own victory in the slalom.

Poland’s Worlds slalom silver medallist Igor Sikorsi took one win each in both the men’s giant slalom and slalom sitting. Germany’s Bjoern Benke also finished on top in one giant slalom following the disqualification of Sikorski.

In the women’s sitting, Germany’s Ruth Hagspiel and Austria’s Heike Tuertscher shared the top of the podium in both locations. Hagspiel took two giant slalom wins and Tuertscher one in the slalom.

Full results are available at World Para Alpine Skiing’s website.

The next major event in Para alpine skiing is the World Cup in Hakuba, Japan, between 5-7 March, swiftly followed by the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games Test Event.

The Test Event will also act as the World Cup Finals between 9-18 March.