After a year of doubt, Marta Bassino seems to have returned to the form that allowed her to win the Giant Slalom Crystal Globe in 2021. The Italian skier finished today in Sestriere 0.11 ahead of hard-charging Sara Hector, and 0.40 of Petra Vlhova.
After being the most consistent racer in the discipline in the 2020-2021 season, last season she failed to show the same consistency and win a Giant Slalom race. But she finished in a good shape the competition with two second places in the Finals in Courchevel-Meribel and in Åre.
For Bassino it is the first win in the World Cup in almost 2 years. Her last two victories came in January 2021 when she won two Giant Slalom races in 24 hours in Kranjska Gora.
And this season she has shown in Killington with a second place and today in Sestriere with a victory.
The 26-year-old Italian has won six Giant Slalom World Cup races. She claimed her previous five victories in Killington, Sölden, Courchevel and Kranjska Gora (2). The two Italian women with the most victories in Giant Slalom are Deborah Compagnoni (13), and Federica Brignone (8).
“It was a fight because the slope was really tough, so I feel incredible. I am really emotional. Arriving at the line with the green light in front of the Italians (fans) was really incredible. I know it was hard because the slope was really tough. It was a fight more than a good feeling on my skis but to win here at home is amazing”, said Bassino.
Sweden's Sara Hector set the best time in the second run, climbing her way from 6th place to the second position in the podium. It is the 12th career World Cup podium for Hector, all in Giant slalom.
“I am really, really happy to make another podium in the second race. I think it was a tough race, but I really tried to push and it was good. I was a bit nervous in the first run. I feel like I have really good skiing but sometimes when I am feeling that it is tough to go out and push. So, I pushed a little less in the first round so in the second round I thought I would just go for it and push and it worked out very well”, said Hector.
Petra Vlhova fell back from 1st place to 3rd place after setting the best time in the first run. This season the Slovak is still looking to achieve her first victory. She finished third in the two Slaloms in Levi and today in Sestriere, and in fourth place in the Giant Slalom and Slalom races held in Killington.
“Today was challenging. It was a tough day and really tough conditions, but I am happy with third place”, said Vlhova.
Fifteen of her 60 World Cup podiums were in the Giant Slalom.