Whiteface Mountain was ready for the women’s slalom on Friday, the penultimate day of the FISU World University Games alpine skiing competition at Lake Placid 2023.

Italy celebrated its second Olympic gold medal courtesy of Maria Marcora, who won first place with a time of 1:54.25.

The podium was completed by the Swiss Valentine Macheret (1:55.39) and Sara Rask from Sweden (1:55.51).

Marcora finished bottom of the start list for the second run after posting 56.76 in the first. After crossing the finish line, the new champion immediately celebrated by lifting her skis and showing a giant smile.

“Of course I hope for a good result in slalom, but I never thought I could win. I’m very happy that all the training I’ve done has paid off.”

The winner explained that she was very surprised because she knew that the other contestants were very fast.

“I was very, very scared. Shivering all over the body. I was very nervous. I don’t think I’ve ever been as nervous as I was on my second run today.”

The weather conditions played an important role in the competition, with continuous snowfall and lots of fog. The riders seemed to appear out of nowhere as they reached the middle of the track.

“It’s hard for me to ski in bad conditions. But it’s something that affects everyone. That way you can be smart and just not focus on it and beat the others,” commented the Italian, who studies economics at the Fernfachhochschule Schweiz University in Switzerland. “This is the part where you can just be better than others mentally.”

Marcora added that the next thing she intends to do is “celebrate this achievement and enjoy my last two days at the FISU Games.”

“After the Olympics, I am returning home to Italy to continue training and racing, ending the season. And of course I have to study a lot and focus on my duties at the university.

Marcora enjoys training, studies and entertainment as a way of life.

“I always go skiing in the morning, come home and then, of course, study. Then in the evening I do a little session at the gym. Then I just go to sleep, relax, watch Netflix, sometimes go out if I have some time.

The 2023 Lake Placid alpine skiing competition will conclude on Saturday with the men’s slalom.

Written by Julieta Boschiazzo, FISU Young Reporter

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