Palamaras takes it all at Cerro Catedral, edging Krauss in the giant slalom; Baruzzi leads the SAC with second place in Medina Girones’ race

The third consecutive race of the South American circuit at Cerro Catedral, following two days devoted to slalom, produced a fine giant slalom battle between Iria Medina Girones and Francesca Baruzzi Farriol. The 2003-born skier from the Principality of Andorra claimed the first SAC victory of her career, after showing great consistency throughout the season and matching the feat of compatriot Carla Mijares Ruf, while the Argentine won the discipline standings (by just two points ahead of the Andorran) and moved into the overall lead with four races remaining.

Medina Girones led after the first run, then managed her advantage superbly to beat the home racer by 0.68 seconds, with Jessica Hilzinger claiming another podium in third, 1.16 seconds back. Another Argentine, Nicole Begue, finished fourth and is also battling for the overall title in the home circuit, ahead of Switzerland’s Stoessel and the French racers Salaris and Mascot, with Mijares Ruf eighth.

Nickco Palamaras took everything on the men’s side: the 22-year-old German won a superb comeback race, extended his lead in the South American Cup overall standings and secured the giant slalom title ahead of American Unkovskoy, who finished fourth in the Cerro Catedral race. Germany occupied all three top spots, with Lukas Krauss second, just one hundredth behind Palamaras after leading by almost six tenths at the halfway mark, and Dominik Zerhoch third, 0.68 seconds behind his compatriot.

Spain’s Barata Mercadal completed the top five, more than one and a half seconds behind Palamaras, followed by the other American, Nolan, Argentina’s Gravier and Switzerland’s Eberle.

Edoardo Simonelli secured another top-20 finish, following his slalom results, placing 19th, 4.64 seconds back.

Sunday will bring two more giant slaloms, but they will count only at FIS level.