Rey-Bellet misses podium spot by a whisker
Switzerland's Corinne Rey-Bellet failed to live up to expectations on Wednesday, missing a World Cup Super-G podium place by a mere 27 hundredths of a second.
The Swiss skier’s time of one minute 29.53 seconds gave her a fifth place finish, in a competition dominated by the French.
Régine Cavagnoud won the race in the French resort of Val d’Isere with a time of 1:28.72 seconds. Her compatriot, Carole Montillet, squeezed into third place in 1:29.26.
Cavagnoud’s victory made her the first Frenchwoman to top the podium in Val d’Isere in nearly three decades.
“To win in France is something special, but to win this classic is unbelievable,” she said after the close race, adding: “When you’re a young skier you dream of this moment, winning in front of the home crowd.”
Second place went to Michaela Dorfmeister, who won the season’s opening Super-G in Aspen, Colorado, last month.
The Italian favourite, Isolde Kostner, edged Rey-Bellet into fourth place by nine hundredths of a second.
Other Swiss skiers finished much further down in the rankings; Sylviane Berthod placed 15th, Ruth Kuendig came in 39th and Monika Dumermuth ended the race in 54th position.
Currently in seventh position overall, Rey-Bellet leads the World Cup standings for the Swiss. Compatriot Sonja Nef is ranked 12th overall.
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