Sports Vail Daily | Monday, March 23, 2015 | A21 Fenninger wins 2nd WCup title; Hirscher his 4th Vonn places fifth

By Jerome Pugmire AP Sports Writer

MERIBEL, France — Anna Fenninger overcame her nerves and a strong challenge from Tina Maze to clinch her second straight World Cup title in style Sunday, joining on the winners’ podium as he celebrat- ed a record fourth straight men’s title. Both won their races, with Hirscher winning the men’s sla- lom to capture his third straight AP PHOTO globe in that discipline, and Fen- Marcel Hirscher, of , poses ninger making it a great day for with the men’s World Cup overall ti- the Austrians as she held off Maze tle trophy at the World Cup finals in to win the women’s , Meribel, France. He is the first man also defending that title in the to win four overall titles in a row. process. Hirscher’s fourth World Cup Norwegian is not a specialist in globe put him level overall with the technical events —but Fenninger likes of fellow Austrian Hermann had it all to do as she trailed Maze AP PHOTO Maier, Gustav Thoeni of Italy and by 18 points. Anna Fenninger looks though her women’s World Cup overall trophy on Sunday at the World Cup finals in of , The showdown pitted GS world Meribel, France. Fenninger successfully defended her overall World Cup and giant slalom titles after win- but the Austrian is the first man to champion Fenninger against ning the season-ending GS race on Sunday. win four in a row. Marc Girardel- Olympic champion Maze — the li, an Austrian who competed for World Cup winner the season In the moments before her last strong and she always comes back Maze was fifth in GS and third in Luxembourg, is the only man with before Fenninger — and did not race of a fantastic season, which when it’s a tough race.” slalom. five overall titles. On the women’s disappoint. saw her win GS and super-G Fenninger finished 22 points Earlier, Hirscher won his eighth side, Austrian great Annemarie Fenninger led Maze after the gold and silver in downhill at last ahead of Maze overall, while four- race of the season, his third in Moser-Proell won five in a row in first run and, despite struggling to month’s world championships, time champion Lindsey Vonn slalom. the early 1970s. focus, hammered down the sec- she was gripped by fear, just placed third having captured the He could relax, with no threat ond to finish 0.38 seconds ahead dreading a Maze comeback. downhill and super-G trophies to his title from Jansrud, who was IT’S ALL MINE of countrywoman Eva-Maria “It’s hard to describe. I felt a lot of in a stunning comeback season 60 points adrift and needed to “It is so hard to find the words Brem — her only rival for the GS pressure,” Fenninger said. “Not only following two career-threatening place first or second to keep his right now. But it means so much title — and 0.46 clear of Maze. today but the last weeks, the last knee injuries. mathematical chance alive — a for me,” Hirscher said. “What “I was really nervous at the months, the last days, there was so highly unlikely feat as he does not is definitely one of the greatest start. Then I tried to do what I much pressure from Tina but also VONN TAKES FIFTH have a top-10 result in slalom in things is to have the record (of love. I was always thinking about from myself, from outside.” Vonn placed fifth on Sunday. more than nine years. four straight), which I don’t have that: ‘You love it and you have to The 31-year-old Maze, who is “It was a good day and a good “Kjetil is one of the fair- to split with someone.” do it,’” the 25-year-old Fenninger approaching the end of her career, way to end the season,” Vonn said. est sportsmen I have met,” the Hirscher had clinched his title said. “I’m happy that I can live my gave Fenninger the gift of a neck- American , who 26-year-old Hirscher said. “The before Sunday’s race even began dream.” lace after the race. sealed the slalom title on Saturday tactic was very simple today. To as closest rival That was her speaking about “I think we’re both winners,” for the third straight season, fin- attack full gas. Not thinking about decided to skip it — the burly three hours after her victory. Fenninger said. “Tina is very ished third in the GS standings; standings or positions.” SSCV freeski team sends two to Junior Worlds in Italy

Daily staff report U.S. REVOLUTION TOUR for halfpipe. Another set of elite [email protected] Last week, Milligan and Cooper development level freeski athletes along with SSCV teammates Bob- from SSCV qualified for and Ski & Snowboard Club Vail’s by Sonntag, Zach Fedrizzi, Felix competed in the USSA Junior Na- freeski team athletes for all ages Coudouy, Emerson Lawton, Sam- tional Freestyle Championships in saw great success this past month my Schuiling, Cas Sheridan, Con- freeski held this past week in Park from the youngest development nor Flynn and Cole Pates, com- City, Utah. Jack Ganley was the level athletes to the elite junior peted in an elite field of athletes youngest SSCV athlete to qualify and senior athletes. at the U.S. Revolution Tour in its in freeskiing. Izak Little, Mi- Aaron Milligan and Paula last stop at Mammoth Mountain, chael Brown and Pearson Black Cooper, SSCV full-time freeski California. After the conclusion of qualified in halfpipe, and Michael athletes and Vail Ski & Snow- this event, the final standings for Brown and Pearson Black quali- board Academy students, head off the tour were posted with Cooper fied in big air. Pearson took third this week to the FIS Junior World sitting in second place overall for in his U15 age class in big air at Ski Championships from March the tour and Milligan sitting in Junior Nationals. 28- April 1 in Chiesa in Valmalen- fourth place overall among a field SPECIAL TO THE DAILY co, Italy, where Milligan quali- of over one hundred competitors. ‘PERFORMED Ski & Snowboard Club Vail freeski athlete Pearson Black, far right, fied to compete in slopestyle and Milligan also took third place in EXTREMELY WELL’ took third in big air in the U15 age class at the USSA Freestyle Junior Cooper in halfpipe. SSCV freeski slopestyle at Mammoth. “I was very proud not only that Nationals in Park City, Utah, last week. coach and halfpipe specialist Pete Among other highlights in these athletes qualified for one of O’Brien is among the U.S. coach- Mammoth, Pates made it to finals the most esteemed events in the well among a stacked field,” Bob For complete results, go to ing staff invited to join the U.S. in slopestyle with a strong run country, but that they tried new Sonntag, SSCV Freeski Coach http://teamparkcityunited.com/ Junior World team in Italy. and Coudouy made it to finals things and performed extremely said. juniornats2015/.