23 Mar 2015

Two different ways to reach the longed-for goal, yet, in the end, united by having (once again) managed to get their hands on that coveted Crystal Globe; making a nation explode with joy that now looks at them as national heroes. Marcel Hirscher triumphs magnificently at the end of a season dominated from start to finish, and takes home his fourth consecutive overall title, his fifth discipline globe and his thirtieth race victory: at only 26 years old, there are no other words to describe this giant of skiing.

Anna Fenninger, also the reigning champion, reconfirms herself as the strongest skier in the world but, unlike her compatriot Hirscher who was never truly threatened by Jansrud, she suffers until the end against a stoic Maze and prevails only at the last gate of the last race of the season. The Slovenian must bow and sees the objective slip away by just 22 points, but takes her hat off to the lovely Austrian who proved to be a "steamroller" capable of managing the emotion and pressure of the second run in which she had everything to lose.

On the day of the Austrian triumph, Italian skiing smiles for the definitive return of one of the strongest skiers of our team. Giuliano Razzoli, Olympic champion in 2010 and then sunk into a circle of injuries and misfortunes, lifts his head and after two consecutive second places loudly announces that next season he will be the man to beat. The blessing also comes from Alberto Tomba, his greatest fan, who sees him in shape like never before.

Meribel closes a rich and exciting season, now the well-deserved rest for the athletes but in a few months everyone back to training. The White Circus never sleeps!