France’s Emiline Ragot, the 2009 downhill World Champion overcame a very slippery track and bad visibility to set the fastest time of the day avoiding the spectacular crashes or made big mistakes preventing her competition to get close to her.
Ragot, who has not won a race for a long time, beat by 15 seconds Great Britain Rachel Atherton and by 28 seconds Canada’s Claire Buchar while Tracy Moseley finished a distant 9th . France’s Nicole Pugin didn’t start at all.
Heavy rain showers definitely influenced the issue of the race and luck was as important as a consistent line to lose as little time as possible down the damaged course.
Ragot choose another tactic as she knows the ‘Derup’ course very well after winning the race last year. “I knew it would be really tough and that the best way to get a top finish was to achieve a very controlled and consistent run,†she explained at the Press Conference. “I think I did a good job, I had no major problems. It’s wonderful to get back at the top here after my hard time earlier this season. I injured myself badly in the first two World Cup races and was disqualified in the third one…Now I hope for a much better season next year.â€
