40th World Cup victory! Gut-Behrami is on par with ski legend Zurbriggen: “Lara can overtake me!”

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Lara Gut-Behrami (32) knows the sweet feeling of victory all too well. Olympic gold, World Cup title, overall World Cup – she’s won it all. More is not possible. Or? But! This Sunday, the Ticino woman will experience very special moments on the Gamskogel. “I’m a bit emotional,” she admits. The reason for this: Gut-Behrami wins the Super-G in Zauchensee, it is her 40th victory in the World Cup. “I don’t really pay much attention to numbers and records. But 40 wins is indescribable. I never thought I would reach such a number.”

Only six women in World Cup history have won more times. Mikaela Shiffrin (USA) leads with 93 wins – she remains unmatched. How far can Gut-Behrami go? Anja Pärson was able to catch him this winter – the Swede won 42 times. But above all, Gut-Behrami overtook a Swiss skiing legend: Pirmin Zurbriggen (60) – he also achieved 40 victories. “I can’t put myself on the same level as him. “You can’t compare,” she waves modestly.

Zurbriggen sees it differently. ‘I’m happy for Lara. She is one of the greatest ski racers in history. It takes a lot to clear the bar of forty wins; there are only a few who can do that.” He especially likes the joy and enthusiasm with which Gut-Behrami still travels. “And she is welcome to catch up with me in the future, I wouldn’t mind that at all. And I am also convinced that she will make it,” said the former Mister Super-G from Wallis.

OC boss Walchhofer takes off his hat

Gut-Behrami enjoys the moment. No less than 17 years after she won downhill silver at the Junior World Championships at the same location, she shines again. “This is where it started to get exciting,” she reflects. ‘So much has happened since then. Not only beautiful things, I injured myself and had a long period of suffering. The fact that I can drive so well again today makes me proud. It’s crazy, just unbelievable.”

Gut-Behrami’s journey on perhaps the most difficult route in the women’s circus is also incredible. She skis aggressively, precisely and always keeps the skis running. «I rode from top to bottom as I wanted. This time I dared, trusted my instincts and went ahead with everything. When I reached the finish I thought it was enough to win.”

She is right. Even the strong Austrians, who were allowed to train on the Kälberloch track for three days in advance, cannot hold a candle to her. Gut-Behrami’s lead over Cornelia Hütter ultimately amounts to 25 hundredths. In a race with extremely tight margins – 19 drivers lose less than a second – it is almost a trip around the world. “Lara showed everyone the master today, I take my hat off,” says OC boss Michael Walchhofer.

“A gift for all of us”

The fact that, unlike Friday’s Super-G, a Swiss coach, Roland Platzer, was allowed to set the course is an important piece of the puzzle of Swiss Ski’s success. “We knew that the Austrians trained here. Roli did it a little differently and broke the rhythm at times – it was extremely cool,” said Michelle Gisin, in fifth place.

Back to Gut-Behrami. It is particularly nice that she can enjoy the day with her parents Pauli and Gabriella. «Thanks to them, but also thanks to my husband at home, I am more relaxed in the last years of my career. That doesn’t mean I don’t get upset when things don’t work. But enjoying something like this together is a wonderful feeling, a gift for all of us.”

And Zurbriggen? He has some advice for Gut-Behrami. “Don’t start counting the wins,” he says, laughing. ‘But I’m not worried about that. Lara’s recipe for success is the same as I’ve always had: she loves to ski.”

Source : Blick