Swiss skier Lara Gut-Behrami cemented her legacy as one of the greatest athletes of all time by capturing two prestigious Crystal Globes at the World Cup in Saalbach, Austria. Gut-Behrami, already a global icon in alpine skiing, claimed her first-ever Crystal Globe in Giant Slalom and secured the overall World Cup title for the 2023/24 season.
On Sunday, Gut-Behrami delivered a standout performance in the Giant Slalom, finishing 10th to clinch both titles. With four victories in the Giant Slalom this season, she amassed an impressive 771 points to secure the discipline’s Crystal Globe for the first time in her illustrious career. Gut-Behrami also sealed her overall World Cup win with 208 points ahead of Italy’s Federica Brignone, marking her second career World Cup overall title, the first being in the 2015/16 season.
“I’m so proud it worked out,” said an emotional Gut-Behrami at the finish line. “This Giant Slalom globe means a lot to me. It’s all about the Giant Slalom. If you are fast in this discipline, you can excel in the others as well. I knew I had to ski well but not risk everything, and now it feels amazing to win both globes again.”
Despite race cancellations and weather setbacks, Gut-Behrami’s season has been filled with numerous victories and podium finishes, solidifying her as a dominant force in skiing. HEAD Racing Director Rainer Salzgeber praised her performance, saying, “This season has been superb, with many victories and a well-deserved win for Lara in both the Giant Slalom and overall categories.”
Joan Verdu Achieves Career Best After Battling Back Injury
On Saturday, Andorran skier Joan Verdu delivered a remarkable performance in the Giant Slalom, finishing second – the best result of his World Cup career. After suffering from severe back pain that kept him out of competition for weeks, Verdu defied the odds to reach the podium for the second time this season, following his third-place finish in Val d’Isere.
“I’ve had a very difficult month, unable to ski due to my back injury. To come back and get my best World Cup result is just amazing,” Verdu said, reflecting on his incredible comeback.
Anna Swenn-Larsson Shines in Slalom
Sweden’s Anna Swenn-Larsson also had a strong showing, finishing third in the Slalom on Saturday. After overcoming health challenges earlier in the season, her return to form has been met with success, as she secured a much-needed podium finish in the final race of the season.
As the 2023/24 season draws to a close, these stellar performances highlight the resilience and excellence of the athletes, with Gut-Behrami leading the charge into skiing history.