Can shine: Nicol Delago © APA/afp / JOE KLAMAR

“Nadia gave me the incentive”: Delago overjoyed

If Nadia and Nicol Delago could have imagined the end of the season, it would probably have turned out the same way. While Nadia reached the podium twice in the European Cup, Nicol raced to third place in the downhill at the World Cup final in Saalbach-Hinterglemm (Austria) on Saturday.

March 23, 2024

From: leo

Even before that Race on Saturday It was clear: this route could suit Nicol Delago. The 28-year-old is one of the best gliders in the world and knows how to deal with the many waves. The woman from Val Gardena grabbed the podium primarily thanks to a very strong performance in the lower, technical area, in which she set the third-best time. Even the disadvantage of a late number didn't stop the South Tyrolean.

“When I saw my start number, I didn’t jump for joy,” admitted Delago at the finish. “But then I told myself not to think about it. Everything worked perfectly today, I'm over the moon.” It was the speed specialist's second podium of the season after she had already finished third in Altenmarkt-Zauchensee. This means that the 28-year-old is back to her old self after tearing her Achilles tendon. “The path we have taken is the right one. There's still a lot of work to do, but I'm happy. Nadia gave me motivation with her victory in the European Cup,” says Delago.

Hütter overwhelmed

Tears of joy were shed by Cornelia Hütter, who stole the small downhill ball from Lara Gut-Behrami with her victory. “Completely unrealistic. Two days ago I dreamed that I would succeed in the Super-G, I would have had the chance and risked everything,” said the Austrian. Racing is just “so emotional, exciting and fun”, it is “simply unbelievable”. Her teammates were all ecstatic in the finish area after arriving at the finish, even though the dream could have been shattered. “I’m glad we didn’t write it off,” said Hütter.

The podium with Ilka Stuhec, Cornelia Hütter and Nicol Delago. © APA / BARBARA GINDL

Gut-Behrami leaves with the three crystal balls for the overall World Cup, Super-G and giant slalom. “If you want to win the ball, you have to be fast all season long. Today I just wasn't able to drive that fast. I think it’s well deserved for Conny,” said the Swiss. But it's not like it would be the end of the world. “I didn’t make it and that’s it. But I didn’t expect to be able to win three balls.”