Stuhec strikes again with win

val d’isere, france» In the absence of established stars like Lindsey Vonn and Tina Maze, new faces are breaking through on the women’s World Cup circuit. Especially Ilka Stuhec. The Slovenian won a World Cup alpine combined race on Friday for her third victory this season — having never finished higher than fourth before this year.

Sitting in third spot after the morning’s downhill, she ended up 0.12 seconds ahead of Michelle Gisin and 0.16 clear of Soffia Goggia following the slalom on the Oreiller-Killy course.

Stuhec was fourth in the overall World Cup standings, while Goggia was up to second with her fifth podium in seven races this season. The Italian also had a career best of fourth before this season began.

That was not the only thing these two skiers have in common. Their careers were hampered by multiple knee operations: five for Stuhec and four for Goggia.

Reflecting on those injuries, Stuhec said: “I wouldn’t change a thing, even though sometimes it was really, really hard. I learned a lot about myself and people around me.”

Goggia said injuries helped to forge her character.

“It’s the hunger I have at the start gate. I’m aching for more, always,” she said. “I can be really satisfied with who I am. The last injury three years ago was really heavy and it took two years for me to come back. Tough times, but I’m here now.”

Norwegians finish 1-2

B val gardena, italy» Kjetil Jansrud and Aleksander Aamodt Kilde finished 1-2 in a super-G to extend Norway’s recent dominance in Val Gardena — and the World Cup speed events in general.

Jansrud clocked 1 minute, 31.99 seconds down the Saslong course, finishing 0.06 seconds ahead of Kilde and 0.13 in front of Canadian veteran Erik Guay.

Jansrud has now won all three speed races this season.