Sölden 2002: One match, three winners: Maze, Hosp, Flemmen

memorable

October 26, 2002: Nothing like this has ever happened before. As usual, three riders finished on the podium in the giant slalom of Sölden, but all of them were on top. Tina Maze, Andrine Flemmen and Nicole Hosp were traveling at the same speed to the nearest one hundredth.

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1 minute, 49 seconds and 91 seconds. This was the winning time in the women's giant slalom in Sölden. It was set not by one rider, not even by two riders, but by three athletes.

Young Austrian Nicole Hosp is ranked 11th after the first round, and even that position is good as the 18-year-old is making only her sixth World Cup start. Hosp also performed well in the second round in irregular conditions – which no one doubted. When Hosp took first place, ARD reporter Gerd Rubenbauer said: “That's windsurfing, not skiing.”

Trembling together until the end

Several riders failed to beat “Nikki's” time. Then Tina Maze was just starting out and was only 19 years old. The Slovenian athlete rushed to the finish line with a long lead, and the “1” lit up for her – and it lit up at the same time as Hosp.

The two riders now stood at the top of the mountain together, and they continued to do so as the half-time leader ascended the slopes of Rettenbachferner. Andrine Flemmen won in Sölden four years ago and the Norwegian performed well again this time. It's not faster than Hosp and Maze – but it's exactly the same speed. So having three drivers win together is something new.

“I can't believe it”

Hosp, whose previous best result was 29th, couldn't be happier: “I can't say if I had the wind or not. Anyway, I just can't believe it, it all happened so fast for me.”

World champion Sonja Nef finished sixth in a race distorted by strong winds that at times exceeded 100 km/h. «The game was very irregular. But skiing is an outdoor sport,” Neff said. You accept the outcome.

Sonja Nef becomes Switzerland's best woman.Image source: EPA APA

two stars rise

It was a third and final World Cup victory for Andrine Flemmen – Nicole Hosp and Tina Maze were both firsts Win at the highest level. This historic match would be the start of illustrious careers for both of them. Hosp won the overall World Cup title, became the giant slalom world champion, won numerous medals and won 12 World Cup races.

Metz was even more successful: She also won the overall World Cup title, became a double Olympic champion in 2014, and won four World Cup gold medals. The Slovenian has won 26 World Cup races in total and is also in an exclusive circle of skiers who have finished on the podium in all five disciplines.

2015 World Cup combination: Hosp (left) silver, Maze gold.Image source: Associated Press