Gagnon wins alpine combined World Cup title in Andorra

Fond February memories will follow Marie-Michele Gagnon as the Canadian skier ended the racing month winning the women’s alpine combined in Andorra, her second World Cup podium this month.

A third place slalom result in Switzerland two weeks ago saw Gagnon reach her first World Cup podium in two years. She followed that up on Sunday with a victory at the Soldeau – El Tarter ski resort in two-run combined time of one minute, 43.66 seconds.

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Marie-Michele Gagnon after winning the women's alpine combined in Andorra on February 28, 2016.

Marie-Michele Gagnon after winning the women’s alpine combined in Andorra on February 28, 2016.

Following the Super G portion of the combined, Gagnon was 0.96 seconds back of the leader, American Lindsey Vonn who took top honours in 57.04s.

It was then in the slalom that Gagnon made up the difference, complemented by slower runs from other skiers falling behind the Canadian’s nimble 45.66s clocking. Only Wendy Holdener of Switzerland had a faster slalom time (45.60s) and finished second overall with 1:43.86. Anne-Sophie Barthet of France was third with a combined time of 1:44.27.

 

This was the fourth World Cup podium in Gagnon’s career and second win.

The Olympic alpine skier was previously victorious in the super combined in Altenmarkt, Austria in 2014.