A Swiss-Austrian duel in the European Cup

13.02.2023 - Two European Cup races will be held this Saturday and Sunday, 18 and 19 February, in Crans-Montana. The two competitions will serve as a general rehearsal for the World Cup races next week.

Crans-Montana will be the scene of two women's European Cup downhill races this weekend, and these events will serve as a dress rehearsal for the women's downhill and super-G on 25 and 26 February. The field will be very strong on the Mont Lachaux piste, where we can expect a duel between top Swiss and Austrian speed experts.

In the Swiss clan, Delia Durrer, Juliana Suter, Stephanie Jenal and Noémie Kolly will be candidates for the podium. The four skiers will take advantage of these European Cup races to prepare for the World Cup races the following week. They will be supported by the young Swiss guard, led by Stefanie Grob, triple medalist from the Junior World Championships, and also by Valais locals Malorie Blanc and Delphine Darbellay.

Christina Ager and the Delago sisters headline

However, the Swiss skiers will have their work cut out against the Austrian armada. European Cup leader Christina Ager will be the great favourite for both races on the Haut-Plateau. The "Wunderteam" will also be able to count on talents such as Nadine Fest, Vanessa Nussbaumer and Sabrina Maier.

Talking of favourites, we should also mention Italian sisters Nadia and Nicol Delago, who are also preparing for the World Cup. Among the outsiders, there is also transalpine Sara Thaler, Germany’s Katrin Hirtl-Stanggassinger, Bosnia’s Elvedina Muzaferija, recently 20th in the downhill at the World Championships in Méribel, and Andorra’s Cande Moreno.

Photographer Hervé Deprez (Crans-Montana) has documented the great work done so far on the Mont Lachaux piste with some impressive images.