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Nerve-racking weekend for ladies‘ ski elite in Bansko

Anna Fenninger

It was only today, the last day of the Women’s Alpine Ski World Cup in Bansko that the sun shone down on the women‘s ski elite. A neverending fog below Todorka peak drove organizers and competitors in the three runs literally up the wall. The meteorological drama started on Friday when the start of the first planned super G race was postponed over and over again to be ultimately rescheduled for today. The thousands who had come to see the head-on collision between temporary leader of the World Cup standings Tina Maze, Slovenia and two time world champion Anna Fenninger, Austria had their hopes dashed on Saturday as once again a thick fog descended over the central portion of the otherwide perfect run near Bansko. As the fog cleared briefly, the start was given for a mere 13 out of the total of over 50 contestants but then the second super G slalom also fell victim to the weather. For security reasons, the International Ski Federation decided to discontinue and subsequently cancel the race.

On Sunday weather conditions seemed more favourable to the ladies as well as to the audience. The fog again made things difficult, nonetheless despite several postponements and delays the only start was given in the Alpine combined for the season from the Super G and slalom in one leg. Surprisingly victory went to Anna Fenninger who won versus the favourite Tina Maze of Slovenia, narrowing the gap in the World Cup overall standings. Thus, the plot thickened until Monday when the Super G race rescheduled from Friday took place. And again Fenninger was the winner which means she now stands a better chance of winning the Big Crystal Globe. World Cup overall standings leader Tina Maze came second, followed by Lindsey Vonn, USA.

It was Lindsey Vonn, the world‘s most successful Alpine skier with victories in 64 World Cup runs that was harshest in her criticism of the run in Bansko. "It's a joke, this snow is way too dangerous to ski," Reuters quotes her as saying. Nevertheless one thing is sure - two time world champion Anna Fenninger is pleased as is the numerous audience who had come to watch the races from the most prestigious Alpine ski circuit, never mind the weather.



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