WORLD CUP
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SCHLADMING
Spring Fling IN SCHLADMING
The 2012 women’s World
Cup Tour ended on a warm
note in sunny Austria
as racers got their first
peek at next year’s world
championships venue
BY ERIC WILLIAMS
The U.S. women’s downhill team and their coaches topped the downhill nations rankings for the second consecutive year.
The women’s World Cup tour had stopped in
Schladming, Austria, only once before the 2012
World Cup Finals – a super G in 1988 — so none of
the currently racing women had set an edge on the
historic men’s slalom hill and the home of the 2013
World Championships. Familiarity with the track was
out the window.
The four women’s races (one of each discipline ex-
cept combined) felt even more up for grabs as all five
of the women’s globes were either already in their
owners’ hands or very close to it, barring a total disas-
ter. It’s true: This year’s Finals didn’t pack the same
dramatic punch as years past. But the sun was bright
and warm, the crowds were plentiful and energetic
and the courses were rippable. It all added up to an
environment of fun, everybody-going-for-it ski racing
in the Steiermark slush.
MITCHELL GUNN
