Elian Lehto went to the Val Gardena steeplechase race with a podium finish in mind. Lindsey Vonn made history.
Joel Sippola,
Nina Old house
Speed calculator Elian Lehto was a promising bet in the downhill race of the World Cup in Val Gardena, Italy. The 24-year-old Finnish skier excelled on the upper sections, although there were challenges with the hills.
Lehto was responsible for the fifth fastest time in the four sector and was struggling even to get into the top five.
– It was extremely hard counting in places, expert Kalle Palander boasted in the studio.
However, too much time was burned in the final stages and the Finn was only in 42nd place in the final results.
Lehto was disappointed with his performance. He went into the race with a podium finish in mind.
He was satisfied that even with normal calculations he was able to be at the top speed.
– They come here to get the podium. These are not nice. However, they are your own doing, so you can only blame yourself.
The competition was won by Switzerland Marco Odermatt before his countryman Franjo Von Allmen.
“cat-like”
According to Lehto, he is usually good in the hills. He couldn’t say why there was a bump in them now.
– You have to be able to read them well. They are big and when you get to them at a speed of one hundred, they take off.
Lehto has had back problems and illnesses since the beginning of the season. He first stated that the performance was good in semi-fit.
After this, tried to ask if he was half fit. Now the answer differed from his previous account.
– No, Lehto was content to say.
Palander instructed Lehto after the race.
– He flashed the mound. Took a long entry and had to come too tight to the hill. The jump was short. Then the rhythm completely fell apart. It should be approached like a cat, Palander presented in the studio.
Vonn made history
US megastar Lindsey Vonn returned to St. Moritz for the World Cup after a break of almost six years. The 40-year-old American was a promising 14th in the super giant slalom.
The competition was won by Switzerland Cornelia Hütterwhich Vonn was 1.18 seconds behind.
– It feels so good. I had butterflies in my stomach, Vonn described her excitement for Eurosport.
– It always feels like it’s me versus the mountain. I love that feeling. There are no limits to how far you can push yourself in alpine skiing. I think this was a perfect start and I’m looking forward to being able to improve in every race, a satisfied Vonn continued.
Vonn was 0.85 seconds away from the podium.
– Vonn laid down a pretty calm bet and a pretty confident one in the first interval. I thought nothing would happen. That’s where it came from though. I appreciate it! He is a tough athlete, praised Kalle Palander.
Vonn has won the overall World Cup race four times. She became the second oldest female skier of all time in the World Cup and the oldest female skier to reach points.