LAKE LOUISE, Alberta, 9 December 2003 — Former World Cup champion Renate Goetschl spoiled Carole Montillet’s party when she won the first women’s super-G of the Alpine ski World Cup season on Sunday.
Goetschl, who has been battling back after knee surgery, led an Austrian one-two, beating teammate Michaela Dorfmeister into second place by 0.51 seconds.
German Hilde Gerg was third, 0.68 seconds behind Goetschl’s time of one minute 14.98.
Montillet had won two downhills here on Friday and Saturday and was hoping to match German Katja Seizinger’s 1997 and 1995 feats of recording three consecutive wins at the same venue with victory in the super-G.
But the French World Cup champion lost time on the tricky turns in the middle of the course and finished 1.08 seconds behind Goetschl.
The victory was Goetschl’s fourth at Lake Louise and the 28th of her World Cup career.
“To win early in the season is crucial, it gives you so much momentum, especially for me as I underwent surgery in the spring to fix my knee,” said the 28-year-old Austrian, who was World Cup overall champion in 2000 and suffered a knee injury in a skiing crash in March 2002.
“I had to rest for a month so I’m still a bit behind in my preparation. My knee is getting better and better but I have to make sure I take some breaks,” said Goetschl, a former world downhill and combined champion.
World super-G champion Dorfmeister was happy with second place.
Dorfmeister, 30, said there was constant pressure in the Austrian squad.
Martina Lechner, 25, and Katja Wirth, 23, also had top-10 results for Austria.
Montillet, who is still second in the overall standings behind technical specialist Anja Paerson of Sweden, admitted: “I took too many chances and skied roughly and tried too hard.”
The Frenchwoman, who until Sunday had been on the Lake Louise podium for six consecutive races going back to 2001, added: “I was a bit tired mentally. I’m happy the week is finished and I’m going home.”
