New Zealand skier Alice Robinson Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Queenstown skier Alice Robinson finished in second place at FIS Giant Slalom World Cup held in Kronplatz, Italy.
Robinson shared the second step of the podium with Sweden's Sara Hector in a tie for second place.
The result marks the eighth World Cup podium of the 22 year old's career.
Clear skies and temperature of -6 Celsius provided great conditions for the athletes, with Robinson's coach Nils Coberger setting the 42 gate course for the first run.
"The slope is challenging because there is a lot of terrain, it is flat at the top then goes into steep sections, it has rolls and a sidehill - a bit of everything so it's quite challenging, but it's a really awesome slope and it's fun to ski," Robinson said.
Switzerland's Lara Gut-Behrami, right, winner, New Zealand's Alice Robinson, centre, and Sweden's Sara Hector, both second, pose during the podium ceremony of the Women's Giant Slalom event of FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup in Kronplatz, Plan de Corones, Italy on January 30, 2024. Photo: AFP
Robinson attacked run one with her trademark powerful skiing. She had the greenlight for the first section and then maintained a solid pace through the remainder of the course to finish run one +0.59 behind run one leader Lara Gut-Behrami of Switzerland.
"This isn't a slope I have ever felt particularly comfortable or really confident at, so I am really happy to have a solid first run. There are definitely areas I can bring up the intensity and risk a bit more, but it was a good start."
Robinson appeared to do just that for her second run, setting an incredible pace, particularly through the first two sections. As the slope rolled over onto the steeper pitch Robinson held it together well and skied a tactical run to take the leader's chair, tied with Hector. Gut-Behrami extended her already impressive run one lead to take the win by -1.09 seconds.
"It's amazing to get two podiums in a row. My best result here [in Kronplatz] in the past has been eighth so it feels really good to get on the podium and get second place here. It's always special and quite fun to tie for podium position, so it's really cool to share the podium with Sara and Lara skied really well today, she is skiing awesome at moment, she is really on form."
The next stop on the Giant Slalom World Cup circuit is on 10 February in Soldeu, Andorra.
