Keller impresses with her sixth World Cup victory
Alessandra Keller has won the short track race in Les Gets (Fra) at the sixth World Cup of the season, celebrating her sixth World Cup victory of her career. The 28-year-old won in superior style after an impressive attack in the final lap.
Alessandra Keller actually wanted to save some energy in the short track race. That’s why she let Puck Pieterse (Ned), one of the top favorites, go early on. The Dutchwoman was ten seconds ahead of the trio Keller, Henderson (Aus) and Richards (Gbr). However, they came together, whereupon Keller was able to pull away decisively with an irresistible attack in the last lap. The overall World Cup leader took her sixth World Cup victory of her career in impressive style – her second of the season. She thus extended her lead in both overall World Cup rankings.
«I wanted to concentrate on second place»
«As World Cup leader, the pressure is always on my shoulders. After Puck Pieterse pulled away, I wanted to concentrate on second place. But on the second last lap I realized that it could be close again. As the four of us went into the last lap, I attacked as fast as I could in the tech zone and pulled away decisively. To win in the leader’s jersey and with the number 1 is brilliant,» summed up a visibly satisfied Alessandra Keller.
Forster and Albin from the second starting row
In the men’s race, the Thömus maxon trio showed a cohesive team performance. Only Mathias Flückiger was involved in a scramble on the start lap and fell far behind. However, the three-time World Championship silver medalist fought his way back rank by rank until he rode in the top 15 together with Albin and Forster. In the end, Forster and Albin finished 11th and 13th to secure a starting place on the second row. Flückiger fell back in the final lap and finished the race in 22nd place.
Luke Wiedmann finished 19th in the U23 category.