Yanqing, 15 Feb (Xinhua) -- On 15 February, the National Alpine Ski Center "Snow Flying Swallow" once again staged a "fairy fight." In the women's downhill competition of alpine skiing at the Beijing Winter Olympics, Switzerland's Corinne Sutter pushed defending champion Sophia Gogia and other famous players to win the championship. China's Kong Fanying successfully completed the competition, creating China's history of the Winter Olympics in this event.
On February 15, champion Switzerland's Corinne Sutte was in the competition. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Chen Yichen
The low temperature and windy weather are a major test for the players. The women's downhill race, which was scheduled to start at 11 a.m., was postponed by half an hour due to weather conditions, and the temperature at the starting point was around minus 20 degrees Celsius during the race.
Kong Fanying, the last Chinese player to appear on the day, overcame the weather effects to complete the race with a time of 1:44.53, ranking 31st, creating the best result of the Chinese team in the women's downhill event of alpine skiing at the Winter Olympics.
"These four years of hard work have not been in vain, and as the only athlete in the Chinese women's speed project to participate in the competition, I feel that my efforts are worth it." Kong Fanying said.
On February 15, China's Kong Fanying was in the competition. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhang Chenlin
The Italians seemed more accustomed to the weather of the day, having led the top three at one point, especially Gogia, who had returned from injury, and who made their debut at the top of the table in 1:32.03. The defending champion missed the Women's Big Slalom and Super Slalom games at the Beijing Winter Olympics in a fall at the Alpine Skiing World Cup Cortina d'Ampezzo on January 23 with a ligament injury to his left knee and a slight fracture of his fibula.
Gogia, who finished the downhill race, hid her face and kissed the camera camera next to her passionately, but she did not expect that Suter, who came on the scene, quickly surpassed her with a time of 1 minute 31.87. "I've worked hard for the last 20 days to control myself and get back to form as quickly as possible, it's not easy to stand here today and play, and I'm very proud to have a medal." Gogia said.
Italy's Sofia Gogia, is playing in the match on February 15. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhang Chenlin
The 27-year-old suter, who is known for her speed sport, is the 2021 World Championships women's downhill champion and the runner-up in the women's grand slalom. "I can't believe I've won the title, it feels like the winds are against me all the time, it's a tough race and I'm very happy to have that." Suter said.
Czech Esther Ledetzka failed to continue the history of winning the championship in the same Winter Olympics. At the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, Ledetzka won both alpine skiing and snowboarding, becoming the first athlete to win gold in both sub-events at the First Winter Olympics. At this Winter Olympics, she successfully defended the snowboard parallel giant slalom, but the alpine ski super giant slalom failed to defend the title, and there were also major mistakes in the downhill competition, which failed to create a miracle.
Editors: Zhang Zewei, Huang Xuguo, Zhang Xijin (Intern)