Australia’s Belle Brockhoff has taken back to back podiums on the FIS World Cup SBX circuit this weekend.
The Victorian claimed third place despite competing in pain from an injury. This is off the back of silver in her last FIS World Cup in Austria.
Belle Brockhoff (AUS), the US double pack Faye Gulini, and Lindsey Jacobellis and title defender from 2019 Michela Moioli (ITA) were up at the start for the big final of the day.
Over the start section and out of the gate, the Italian title defender shot out like a rocket with both American coming at her from left and right side. Faye Gulini was fighting Moioli already in the first turn, to take the quicker line, but Moioli fought to defend the first spot.
Over the next roller section, Moioli and Gulini were still super tight with Jacobellis just on their tails. But Moioli then took the inside line going into the next turn, winning enough speed to get a little bit in front. Meanwhile, that’s when Belle Brockhoff made the passing move on Jacobellis to get in third position.
But Gulini and Moioli still weren’t done fighting for the top spot. They both approached the final kicker and it looked as if the Italian made a longer jump and then just went full gas into the finish, edging off Gulini into second place, which had to be verified by a photo finish, because it was so tight.
“I was actually not going to race,” said Brockhoff. “I had a small injury in training, bruised the bones in my knee.”
“I’m happy I worked my way through it and didn’t think too much of it. I race to win, I think everyone here does.”
