Swiss Skier Malorie Blanc Claims Historic First World Cup Victory in Crans-Montana Super-G
In a stunning performance that marked the biggest moment of her young career, Swiss alpine skier Malorie Blanc triumphed in the women's super-G World Cup race held in Crans-Montana. The 22-year-old athlete clocked an impressive time of 1 minute 17.34 seconds to secure her first-ever World Cup victory, delivering a breakthrough result just weeks before the highly anticipated Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
A Perfect Day for a Breakthrough Performance
Blanc's remarkable win came on what she described as a perfect snow day, creating ideal conditions for alpine competition. The victory served as a much-needed emotional lift for the local community, as Crans-Montana continues to recover from a tragic bar fire that claimed 40 lives just last month. Racing before her home fans added special significance to the achievement, with Blanc hailing from Ayent, a small town located just 20 minutes from the race venue.
"I'm so happy for myself and also for the fans," Blanc told RTS after crossing the finish line, expressing both personal satisfaction and appreciation for local support.
Overcoming Elite Competition with Unconventional Style
The young Swiss skier demonstrated exceptional skill and composure against a field featuring some of women's alpine skiing's biggest names. She narrowly edged out Italy's Sofia Goggia, the 2018 Olympic downhill champion, who finished just 0.18 seconds behind in second place. American skier Breezy Johnson claimed the third podium position, completing an impressive lineup of top finishers.
Blanc described her winning run in surprisingly modest terms, telling the Associated Press: "It was a crazy run. It was a bit freestyle. I knew it didn't need a perfect run to win. But I did the job and I'm pleased I was able to show what I can do." Her relaxed yet confident approach proved effective against formidable competition, particularly with skiing legend Lindsey Vonn absent from the race due to a left knee injury sustained in a downhill crash the previous day.
Building Momentum Toward Olympic Competition
This victory represents only the second podium finish of Blanc's World Cup career, following her second-place finish in a downhill event in St. Anton earlier this month. Her steady progression has been evident over the past year, with another second-place finish in Austria last season demonstrating her growing consistency at the elite level.
The timing of Blanc's breakthrough could hardly be better, coming just days before the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Her performance denied Italy a potential one-two finish, as Laura Pirovano had been leading by a significant margin before missing the penultimate gate. Goggia praised her own attacking style despite finishing second, acknowledging the quality of Blanc's winning run.
From Junior Champion to Olympic Contender
Blanc's rise through the ranks has been marked by consistent achievement. In 2024, she claimed junior world titles in both super-G and team combined events, establishing herself as a promising talent with significant potential. Now, with her first World Cup victory secured, she heads to Cortina d'Ampezzo with renewed confidence, valuable momentum, and the belief that she truly belongs among the world's best alpine skiers.
The result positions Blanc as a surprise star of the final women's World Cup race before the Olympic Games, transforming her from a promising junior champion into a genuine medal contender on the sport's biggest stage. Her victory in Crans-Montana not only represents a personal milestone but also signals the arrival of a new force in women's alpine skiing as the Olympic competition approaches.
