Crans-Montana: An emotional home win and defeated ÖSV stars

Crans-Montana in the Swiss canton of Valais has already experienced a lot in the still young year of 2026. After the fire disaster on New Year’s Eve, the victims were also remembered at the Women’s World Cup Super-G. In the end, Malorie Blanc, a local hero who lives a few kilometers from the finish area, achieved her first World Cup victory.

“I love Crans-Montana. I love the route and the people here,” said the premiere winner (22). Completing the podium was Sofia Goggia (ITA) in second place and Breezy Johnson (USA). The Austrians had nothing to do with the decision at the Olympic dress rehearsal. Ariane Rädler, Cornelia Hütter and Mirjam Puchner took places seven to nine. Julia Scheib was a ray of hope. The RTL specialist was even faster than Blanc in the upper section of her fourth World Cup Super-G and ultimately ended up in 21st place.

Blanc’s victory was a double balm for the Swiss. A major fire in a bar in Crans-Montana on Silvernacht killed 40 people and injured over 100. Blanc is now the hottest item in the women’s speed team, which has been weakened by injuries (including Lara Gut-Behrami) and lack of form – but it was not necessarily foreseeable that the Valais woman would strike at her home race.

“I’m so happy that I showed this show. It’s really a gift for the people, for their support, and that means a lot to me,” she said in the ORF interview. The race in front of the home crowd gave her a push, explained Blanc. “I love this route, I love the people here.” What really threatened her during the Olympic dress rehearsal was the Italian Laura Pirovano, who risked too much on the way to the best time and went off course.

Lindsey Vonn was not in the starting house, as she probably injured herself in a fall during the downhill run on Saturday. There is no reliable information about her state of health. The 41-year-old wrote on social media that she was still fighting to take part in the Olympic Games in Cortina.