Tina Maze has clinched the 2013 Alpine Ski World Cup title, reaching a major milestone in her career. Tina Maze arrives at this triumph after a career marked by big victories as well as defeats and tough moments; in the women’s White Circus, competition is fierce and talented skiers abound—not only the unstoppable American Lindsey Vonn, but also Germany’s Maria Riesch and Austria’s Anna Fenninger, who gave the Slovenian a run for her money during individual races this season without ever posing a real threat in the overall standings.
The Women’s Alpine Ski World Cup sees newly crowned champion Tina Maze atop the overall standings with 2,414 points, followed in second place by Maria Riesch with 1,101 points and in third place by Fenninger with 1,029. A landslide victory in which Tina scored more than double the points of her nearest rival Maria Riesch (the 2011 overall World Cup winner). Cementing her dominance were her discipline titles in the Giant Slalom, Super-G, and Super Combined.
All credit goes to the tenacity, commitment, and consistency of an athlete who realized she could be even more than just a strong skier. Her goal was set from the very beginning, and race after race, the long-awaited result—earned through years of sport and sacrifice—finally arrived.
One cannot help wondering whether the sidelining of the formidable Lindsey Vonn contributed to the Slovenian’s runaway victory: her American rival had to deal with a tough illness and, just when she seemed to be back in top form, suffered a serious crash during the opening race at the World Championships in Schladming, Austria (where Tina Maze triumphed), forcing her to end her season early.
In a World Cup without her biggest rival, the path was clear from early on, though the disappointment of not seeing her test her mettle all season long against the American phenomenon left a slightly bittersweet taste for many ski fans. Who knows whether next ski season we will witness a head-to-head battle on equal terms between the two extraordinary champions who have given the skiing world such a thrilling show over recent seasons.
No comments yet