Alice Robinson Secures Back-to-Back World Cup Wins in Canada

New Zealand skier Alice Robinson celebrated a significant achievement by clinching her second consecutive victory in the FIS Giant Slalom World Cup. The 24-year-old secured her triumph on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at Tremblant, Canada, following her win at Copper Mountain the previous weekend. This victory marks her sixth World Cup title and her 19th podium finish.

Robinson displayed remarkable skill, finishing the race with a time that was nearly one second faster than her closest competitor, Zrinka Ljutic of Croatia, who finished 0.94 seconds behind. Canadian skier Valerie Grenier rounded out the podium, delivering a solid performance in front of an enthusiastic home crowd.

Reflecting on her challenging race, Robinson remarked, “That was such a testing race, it felt like the complete opposite of Copper last weekend. I’m so excited and I’m so glad I was able to hold on after the lead in the first run and build on it; it’s awesome.”

Challenging Conditions and Strategic Racing

The weather conditions at Tremblant presented difficulties for many racers, as flat light and snowfall complicated visibility. Despite these challenges, Robinson managed a lightning-fast first run, finishing with a lead of 0.33 seconds. Her second run showcased a dynamic performance from start to finish, ultimately securing her win by 0.97 seconds.

“The speed was faster [in the second run], I think the snow got colder,” Robinson explained. “It stopped snowing as much and it froze, so the tempo was up a bit. It’s a flat hill, but it’s not easy; it has so much terrain, so you have to be tactically smart about where you push and where you hold back a bit.”

The Tremblant event is part of a double-header, and Robinson is scheduled to compete again on the same slope early on Monday, March 11, 2024.

Success in Freeskiing

In related news, New Zealand’s Luca Harrington achieved a notable second-place finish at the FIS Freeski Big Air World Cup in China. This podium finish marks Harrington’s sixth consecutive appearance among the top competitors in this discipline. The 21-year-old from Wanaka expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “Today we set out with our two goals to get those first two tricks done, and getting that first trick completed gave me a lot of confidence going into run two. The level of the sport is incredible at the moment, and to stay at the top means the world to me.”

Both Robinson and Harrington’s recent successes highlight the growing prominence of New Zealand athletes in the international skiing scene, with their performances drawing attention and admiration from fans across the globe.