Bassino wins second Crans-Montana downhill, Gut-Behrami third / Photo: Fabrice COFFRINI - AFP
Bassino wins second Crans-Montana downhill, Gut-Behrami third
Italy's Marta Bassino emerged the surprise winner of the second World Cup downhill in 24 hours at Crans-Montana on Saturday.
Bassino sealed her first World Cup win in the discipline at the main expense of her compatriot Federica Brignone, second at .54s.
In-form Swiss star Lara Gut-Behrami, who won Friday's downhill, had to settle for third at 1.11s.
Despite missing out on back-to-back downhills, Gut-Behrami still extended her lead in the overall standings.
The 32-year-old goes into Sunday's Super G at her home ski resort 165 points clear of Mikaela Shiffrin in the race for the large crystal globe awarded for the overall title.
Shiffrin, a five-time overall winner, is recovering from a left knee injury and is targeting a return to competition in early March.
Gut-Behrami, already on top of the overall, giant and super-G standings, also took command of the downhill table by 19 points from Sofia Goggia, whose season has ended prematurely with a broken leg.
Such has been the toll on the leading skiers this term that Goggia was one of six of the top 15 downhill racers absent from Crans-Montana.
O.Esposito--IM
