Nef wins giant slalom World Cup

Sonja Nef triumphantly kisses her trophy Keystone

The Swiss skier, Sonja Nef, has won the overall giant slalom title for the second consecutive year, after taking first place in Saturday's event in Austria.

The 29 year-old won Saturday’s race in Flachau, Austria in 2’42″96, marginally ahead of Sweden’s Anna Ottosson, who crossed the finishline in 2’43″80. Finland’s Tanja Poutiaine was pushed into third place finishing more than half a second behind Ottosson.

“I was a bit nervous,” said Nef after the race. “I really wanted this title. It’s simply fantastic to have won it for the second consecutive year.”

Austria’s Michaela Dorfmeister, Nef’s main contender for the World Cup giant slalom title, finished sixth in Flachau. This meant she had to make do with finishing the season in second place with 494 points – 80 less than Nef.

Because of Dorfmeister’s disappointing performance, Nef only had to finish in the top ten to secure her title.

Nef third in overall standings

Dorfmeister ends the season in first place in the overall World Cup standings. Nef, on the other hand, is third.

The 29 year-old Swiss is the first to reach that podium since Vreni Schneider’s 1995 triumph.

swissinfo with agencies