Whistler's Fleckenstein crashes in World Cup downhill race
VAL D'ISERE, France — Jasmine Flury claimed only her second World Cup win as the Swiss skier triumphed in a downhill race on Saturday, while Sofia Goggia moved to the top of the discipline standings.
Flury was 0.22 seconds ahead of compatriot Joana Haehlen and 0.24 faster than Austrian skier Cornelia Huetter in a race that was delayed because of a horrific crash for Canadian Stefanie Fleckenstein.
The race was interrupted for about 20 minutes so Fleckenstein could be treated and stretchered off the course. The 26-year-old Whistler skier crashed at the end of her run and slid across the finish line, yelling in pain. Other athletes covered their eyes and ears as Fleckenstein's screams of agony could be clearly heard. She was taken to hospital, but the extent of her injuries was not released.
Flury's only other World Cup win in her career was a super-G in her native Switzerland six years ago, though the 30-year-old recorded a surprise victory at the world championships in February.
Racing with most of the pre-race favourites skiing after her, it seemed unlikely Flury would remain in the leader's chair but none of them even managed to make the podium.
Haehlen equalled her career-best World Cup result in any discipline by finishing second for the third time.
Standout downhill racer Goggia, who admitted afterward that she was far from her best form and was also suffering from a cold, was fourth, 0.44 behind Flury.
Goggia nevertheless moved into the discipline lead. The Italian has 17 more points than Flury and 20 more than Huetter.