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The Breakers were outclassed by the 36ers in Adelaide in their latest NBL game PHOTO: BREAKER SUPPLIED/GETTY IMAGAGES The Breakers have suffered a 94-78 defeat to Adelaide 36ers at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Sunday night lacking energy in their play as the home side pushed home an early advantage. Adelaide’s high-powered offence, led by Montrezl Harrell’s 26 points and Kendric Davis’ double-double of 23 points and 13 assists, proved too much for the Breakers to overcome. LATEST HEADLINES: Maxwell, Nicol titles in Waikato Whelpton, Tanner take titles Wallace Sititi injury much worse Phoenix draw with Mariners Stars to the fore in Super Smash With co-captain Parker Jackson-Cartwright missing the game due to a mid section injury, the Breakers struggled to find consistency on offence. Trailing by as many as 28 points, the Breakers regrouped and showed resilience in the second half by mounting a 12-0 run to trim the deficit. The Breakers won the second half 43-37, but the damage done in the first half was enough to allow Adelaide to seal the result. Mojave King led a valiant effort off the bench with a team high 20 points on an efficient 7-of-12 shooting, draining five three pointers. Jonah Bolden recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, while Matt Mooney contributed 14 points and a team-high nine assists and Karim Lopez pulled down 11 boards to go with his seven points. Tacko Fall pulled down six rebounds and scored five points. Turnovers proved costly, with the Breakers committing 17 compared to Adelaide’s eight, leading to 18 points for the home side. Head coach Petteri Koponen said his side lacked energy early in the contest but responded well in the second half. The Breakers now head home ahead of a match-up against Cairns Taipans at Spark Arena on Saturday night. Adelaide 36ers 94 (Montrezl Harrell 26, Kendric Davis 23, Isaac Humphries 12) NZ Breakers 78 (Mojave King 20, Matt Mooney 14, Jonah Bolden 10)

Tiaan Whelpton seen here running for Canterbury has run inside the qualifying time for the World Indoor Championships PHOTO: LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY Canterbury sprinter Tiaan Whelpton has broken a long-standing New Zealand athletics record. Whelpton ran 6.5 seconds in finishing second in the 60m final at the ACT Championships in Canberra. LATEST HEADLINES: Wallace Sititi injury much worse Phoenix draw with Mariners Stars to the fore in Super Smash Upsets in Perth Sevens event Double gold for NZ at X Games The time was well ahead Gus Nketia's long-standing national mark of 6.59, set in Barcelona in 1995, and qualifies him for the World Indoor Championships to be held in Nanjing, China in March. Whelpton comfortably ran under the World Indoor Championships standard of 6.55. The 24-year-old Cape Town born sprinter clocked 6.52 in the heats with an illegal trailing wind. Whepton still has to be officially confirmed for the World Indoor Championships. He's expected to run at the New Zealand Summer Circuit at the International Track meet over 60m and 100m before the NZ Track and Field Championships in Dunedin at the start of March. Meanwhile in his first competition since winning gold at the Paris Olympics, Hamish Kerr won the high jump at the Cooks Classic in Whanganui with a height of 2.19 metres. Fellow Olympian Sam Tanner won the men's mile in a time of 3:55 with Wairarapa's Alison Andrews-Paul won the women's mile in a time of 4:40.86. It was Tanner's third consecutive title at Cooks Garden and his fifth sub-four minute mile at the venue.

Wallace Sititi will spend a number of the weeks on the sideline and likely miss Super Rugby Pacific for the Chiefs PHOTO: LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY The Chiefs have confirmed loose forward Wallace Sititi is facing an extended recovery period following successful knee surgery. The 22-year-old had meniscus surgery on his right knee and is not expected to have much on-field involvement in the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season as a result. LATEST HEADLINES: Phoenix draw with Mariners Stars to the fore in Super Smash Upsets in Perth Sevens event Double gold for NZ at X Games Breaker compete by taste defeat “Everyone saw the impact Wallace had last season and he’s certainly a big loss for us, but our focus is now on supporting his recovery and eventual return to the field,” said Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan. “I also know he will continue to contribute positively to our environment in any way he can." Sititi enjoyed a superb rookie campaign with the Chiefs in 2024 which culminated in selection in the All Blacks’ end-of-season tour and being awarded the World Rugby Men’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year award. Sititi proved to be an inspiration in the All Blacks with tackles made, plus linebursts as well.

Black Caps bowler Matt Henry has been tearing it up in Super Smash cricket PHOTO: LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY Two teams have been pencilled in for Super Smash qualifying while there was a couple of strong T20 bowling performances. at Hagley Oval. Black Cap Matt Henry backed up Wednesday's match-winning 3-21 performance against the Firebirds in Wellington with a repeat dose against the Firebirds in Christchurch. LATEST HEADLINES: Upsets in Perth Sevens event Double gold for NZ at X Games Breaker compete by taste defeat Routliffe, Dabrowski lose AO semis Sadowski Synnott bronze X Games Henry claimed 5-18 after the Kings had sent the Firebirds in, as well as taking a brilliant catch off Zak Foulkes. It was the sixth best figures in the Kings’ T20 history, but it didn’t stop the Firebirds from pumping what proved to be a winning total of 167 — young Firebirds opener Jesse Tashkoff with his maiden T20 half century, 52 off 40 balls. Ben Sears (2-23), Michael Bracewell (4-31) and Peter Younghusband (2-28) then combined to hand the Kings a bruising 31-run loss. The split results between the Kings are Firebirds in their home and away clashes means neither team can now catch men’s leader the Central Stags at the top of the castle (other men’s teams still can), and they remain in imminent peril at the foot of the men's ladder. Former leaders the Otago Volts meanwhile need to win in their last round tomorrow (against Northern Brave) to match the Stags on 22 points, but with other sides breathing down their neck in a tight men's race for the three qualifying berths. Earlier, White Fern Sophie Devine claimed her best T20 figures at the same ground, a stunning bag of 5-13 off her four overs against the Canterbury Magicians. That’s Blaze’s second equal best T20 individual performance with the ball, bettered only by Melie Kerr’s 5-10, and matching Kerr's 5-13 in second spot, both those achievements from last summer's title-winning season. Devine’s first Dream11 Super Smash bag eclipsed her only other T20 five-for, a haul of 5-41 for the Adelaide Strikers in the 2018/19 Women’s Big Bash. Devine struck in each of her four overs and finished with a rare T20 double wicket maiden in the 17th, to help the defending champion Wellington Blaze restrict the Magicians to 101-8 at Hagley Oval before they chased down their target in just 11.2 over to gallop to a 10-wicket win. The resounding victory not only put defending champion Blaze through to the Finals weekend on their home turf of the Cello Basin Reserve (1 and 2 February), but also, the Otago Sparks who are level on 24 points. But the Sparks now suddenly sit lower than the Blaze on net run rate - and the Sparks have only one crunch round left, against well performed Northern Brave tomorrow at Bay Oval, while the Blaze has two rounds still to go in order to ink in the top spot. The third spot at the Finals weekend, and confirmation of the direct entry ticket to the women’s Grand Final courtesy of finishing top of the table, are both still up for grabs. The second and third qualifying teams must face off in a sudden death 2v3 Elimination Final on the preceding day, so direct entry to the Grand Final is highly coveted. Wellington Blaze and the Canterbury Magicians wore black armbands to pay their respects to former White Fern and hockey double international Ann McKenna who has passed away at 81. Points at a glance (number of rounds played) Men: Central Stags 22 (8) Otago Volts 18 (9) Auckland Aces 16 (8) Northern Brave 16 (7) Canterbury Kings 12 (8) Wellington Firebirds 12 (8) Women: Wellington Blaze 24 (8) Otago Sparks 24 (9) Northern Brave 16 (7) Auckland Hearts 14 (8) Canterbury Magicians 12 (8) Central Hinds 6 (8)

A gold medal on debut for Luca Harrinton at the X Games PHOTO: TREVOR BROWN JR/X GAMES Kiwi snowboarding and ski duo of Zoi Sadowski-Synnott and Luca Harrington have won gold in their respective events at the X Games. Sadowski Synnott was victorious landing the world’s first triple cork in a women’s slopestyle competition taking away her 11th X Games medal, six of them gold. LATEST HEADLINES: Breaker compete by taste defeat Routliffe, Dabrowski lose AO semis Sadowski Synnott bronze X Games Wood to stay at Nottingham Forest Kiwi golfers struggle on DP World Tour “Being able to do that run, which is a dream run of mine I never thought was possible, it means the world to me to be back here at X Games.” said Sadowski-Synnott, “Honestly, I didn’t know if I would be on the podium again going through this injury, so to be back here in the mix with the girls and to be part of the progression means so much to me and to win this comp, I can’t even believe it.” Sadowski-Synnott was strong in the playoffs, and laced together a solid rail section before putting down her switch backside 1260 then stomping back-to-back double corked 1080’s on the last two jumps. Scoring a 92.33, she cruised through to the final round with ease. She then kicked it up a gear in the finals, putting down a huge backside triple corked 1440 on the third and final jump, making history as the first women (ski or snowboard) to ever land a triple cork in a slopestyle competition. “I am just stoked to be here, and a big congrats to everyone, we got such epic conditions to ride here today so I am just so grateful.” she said. With a huge score of 94.66 on the board, Sadowski-Synnott remained untouchable for the remainder of the competition and took the win. Kokomo Murase of Japan and Great Britain’s Mia Brookes joined her on the podium in second and third respectively. Meanwhile Harrington won gold in the men’s ski slopestyle at his debut X Games appearance. Harrington has been training on the course as an alternate, but got the start list call up late last night ahead of today’s competition. “I have been so grateful to be able to train throughout the sessions with everyone and get ready to go and to be a competitor. I was not sure it was going to happen, then last night after my big air training I got the email saying I was in. I was super excited and had a hard time sleeping, I was buzzing in my bed. Today was incredible I am so grateful I got to sneak onto the start list.” As the rookie on course, Harrington had nothing to lose and left it all out there in the playoffs, qualifying through to finals in the top spot. On the last sled lap up to the top of the course before finals, Harrington shared how he told himself “let’s win this thing”, and that he did. As the top qualifier he was the last to drop for each of the two finals runs, but put down a flawless first run, which included his right double corked 900 bring back Japan grab and switch right triple corked 1620 with an esco grab (winning combo from the Klagenfurt Big Air World Cup earlier this month) on the last two jumps. Switzerland’s Andri Ragettli claimed the silver medal, with the United States Mac Forehand taking the bronze on home snow.

New Zealand's Erin Routliffe serves with Gaby Dabrowski at the net in the semifinals of the women's doubles at the Australian Open PHOTO: NZSW A semifinal loss for New Zealand's Erin Routliffe and Canadian Gaby Dabrowski in the women's doubles at the Australian Open on Margaret Court Arena. The second seeds were defeated 7-6(3) 3-6 6-3 to the unorthodox duo of Lativia's Jelena Ostapenko and Chinese Taipei’s Hsieh Su-Wei in a match which changed tact at every turn. LATEST HEADLINES: Sadowski Synnott bronze X Games Wood to stay at Nottingham Forest Kiwi golfers struggle on DP World Tour Gallagher finding his feet at Hurricanes Auckland defeat Otago in Super Smash The New Zealand and Canadian player raced to a 3-0 lead in the first set after a couple of breaks of serve but couldn't hold on as Grand Slam singles winner Ostapenko picked up her aggression and Hsieh Su-Wei hit returns from all angles for the first set in a tiebreak. In the tiebreak, Ostapenko and Hsieh were up 4-2 at the change of ends and at 6-3, Ostapenko smashed a return winner off Dabrowski’s serve. Routliffe and Dabrowski combined well to take the second set, but the Kiwi double faulted on break point early in the third set and the Latvian and Taipei player never looked back, holding serve for the rest of the match. It was the second time Ostapenko had beaten Routliffe and Dabrowski in the semifinals in Melbourne. Last year she did it with Ukrainian Lyudmyla Kichenok. "We did a lot of good things today. We had a lot of opportunities, but we could have gone out in the first round, so it was a good effort in the end," said Routliffe. "It was the start we wanted, but they played well and are so tough to beat." Despite this loss, Routliffe had a strong Australian Open, reaching the semifinals in both women’s and mixed doubles with Dabrowski and Michael Venus as her partners, on little training after injury. In the five Grand Slams they have played together their record is 2023 US Open winner, Australian Open 2024 semifinals, Wimbledon 2024 runners up, US Open 2024 quarterfinals and Australian Open 2025 semifinals. The pair share A$250,000 in prizemoney from the women's doubles and now plan to have a training block before playing the big WTA 1000 tournaments in the Middle East

Pacifico Women’s Snowboard Big Air podium. [L-R] Reira Iwabuchi (Japan) 2nd, Anna Gasser (Austria) 1st, Zoi Sadowski-Synnott (New Zealand) PHOTO: JOSHUA DUPLECHIAN/XGAMES New Zealand's Zoi Sadowski-Synnott has added her 10th X Games medal to her collection with bronze in the Women’s Snowboard Big Air at the 2025 Aspen X Games. X Games is known for being a hot spot for worlds first tricks, with creativity and progression encouraged and rider focussed format. 2025 is no exception, with a new Big Air format in play designed to allow athletes to show off their top tricks. LATEST HEADLINES: Wood to stay at Nottingham Forest Kiwi golfers struggle on DP World Tour Gallagher finding his feet at Hurricanes Auckland defeat Otago in Super Smash Economic issues cancel Winter Games Eight of the world’s top female riders were invited to compete at the Pacifico Women’s Snowboard Big Air. The format meant all eight athletes competed against each other in the playoffs, with the top four advancing to the finals with the scores resetting to zero. Differing from World Cup format, the riders were only required to stomp one, huge trick with the single highest score taking the win. With temperatures at 15 Celsius, the cold temperatures meant the snow was running on the slow side. Sadowski-Synnott made quick work of the playoff round, putting down a backside triple 1440 drunk driver grab right off the bat for her first time in competition, which was enough to carry her through to the final round in fourth place. Sadowski-Synnott was the first to drop into finals and immediately put a massive score on the board, once again stomping the triple 1440, going huge and sending it deep down the landing, posting a 92.66 which was her best score of the night. She explained the 1440 as “one of the scariest tricks” she has ever put down in her extensive career. Sitting in bronze medal position with Mia Brookes of Great Britain, who was sitting outside of podium position, next to drop Sadowski-Synnott had a nervous wait. Brookes put down an impressive run of her own but it wasn’t enough to knock Sadowski-Synnott off the podium. Anna Gasser of Austria claimed the victory, making her the female athlete with the most X Games Big Air Gold Medals in history. Japan’s Reira Iwabuchi took second place, repeating her performance from the 2024 X Games Big Air. Sadowski Synnott is the first of six Kiwis in the X Games events.

Ryan Fox sits in a tie for 46th after the first round of the Ras Al Khaimah Championship. PHOTO: RYAN FOX Trio of New Zealand golfers are well off the pace in the first round of the DP World Tour's Ras Al Khaimah Championship. Ryan Fox is the best-placed after an even-par 72 on Thursday (Friday NZ Time) at the Al Hamra Golf Club, leaving him in a tie for 46th, nine strokes behind the clubhouse leader, Englishman Marcus Armitage. LATEST HEADLINES: Gallagher finding his feet at Hurricanes Auckland defeat Otago in Super Smash Economic issues cancel Winter Games Late goal for Auckland FC secures draw Routliffe, Venus beaten in mixed semis Fox, the world No 89, opened with a birdie before six consecutive pars. He made a mess of the turn with wayward tee shots, making three straight bogeys at the eighth, ninth and 10th holes to drop to two-over. He responded with birdies at the 11th and 13th holes to return to even, hitting his tee shot at the par-three close and putting his approach shot at the par-four inside four feet. The 37=year-old made bogey at the 16th and birdie at the 18th to close his round. Fellow Kiwis Kazuma Kobori (four-over through 17 holes) and Daniel Hillier (six-over) have a lot of work to do just to make the weekend cut. Hillier, coming off a runner-up finish at last week's Dubai Desert Classic to jump 88 places to 135th in the world rankings, started his round in disastrous fashion, with a double-bogey at the par-four second and a triple-bogey at the par-five third after finding the water twice. The 26-year-old recovered some of those shots with birdies at the fourth and eight, but bogeyed the ninth and then another double-bogey came at the par-four 10th, dropping him to six-over. He made two birdies and two bogeys on the run home. Kobori will play the 18th hole to complete his first round on day two, after posting four birdies, four bogeys and two double-bogeys in a four-over 76. The 23-year-old was one-over at the turn before a double-bogey at the 10th and bogey at the 11th. He made back-to-back birdies at the 13th and 14th but immediately gave those strokes back with a double-bogey at the par-three 15th. All three New Zealanders will tee off their second rounds on Friday from the 10th hole, with Fox and Hillier at 8.10am local time (5.10pm NZT), and Kobori at 9am local time (6pm NZT).

Hurricanes lock Zach Gallagher in training for his new Super Rugby Pacific side. PHOTO: HURRICANES If Zach Gallagher was asked a few years ago where he thought he would be in 2025, he never would have guessed the Hurricanes. Gallagher is a Cantabrian through and through; born and raised in Christchurch, head boy at the prestigious Christ’s College, a double major graduate from Canterbury University, and until recently, a key member of the Crusaders' forward pack. LATEST HEADLINES: Auckland beat Otago in Super Smash Lopez standing tall for NZ Breakers Economic issues cancel Winter Games Late goal for Auckland FC secures draw Routliffe, Venus beaten in mixed semis “It’s pretty surreal to be honest,” Gallagher remarks on his move to the Hurricanes, “I loved my time at the Crusaders, and learnt so much from some of the best, but it felt like the right time for a challenge and to throw myself into a new environment and a new way of looking at the game.” Conversations with the Hurricanes’ coaching staff fuelled his excitement. “They’re doing something special here,” he says with enthusiasm. “The vision for the team and the energy within the group is contagious. The pre-season environment has been great so far, and I’m really looking forward to what’s to come.” Though the move to Wellington is a significant change up for Gallagher, his ties to the capital run deep. His great-uncle, Allan Hewson, is a Wellington rugby legend, having played for the province from 1977 to 1986. He also represented the All Blacks from 1981 to 1984 and has deep connections to the Petone rugby club. Rugby has been the dream for as far back as Gallagher can remember, although he’s the first to admit it didn’t always seem attainable. “I was pretty small as a kid,” he jokes, “It wasn’t until my later years in high school that I had a bit of a growth spurt and cracked the 1st XV.” But rugby wasn’t the only sport on Gallagher’s radar. He also excelled in rowing, clinching age-grade medals at the Maadi Cup. For Gallager, rowing’s a family tradition. His mother, Kris, represented New Zealand in the sport, and many of his childhood memories are filled with time spent in Twizel, attending camps and regattas. “Mum was a rower, so naturally we spent a lot of our childhood around rowing events. I’ve still got a lot of love for the sport; rowing brings a real sense of comradery within your team and a lot of time spent away on camps really instils that.” Gallagher’s team-focused mindset appears to have translated seamlessly into the rugby environment. Hurricanes Head Coach Clark Laidlaw has been impressed by his ability to adapt and settle into the team, both on and off the field. “Zach’s transitioned into the team really well. It’s pretty obvious that he’s been putting in the work, coming out on top as the fittest forward in our fitness testing pre-Christmas. More importantly, he’s come in and been himself, settled into the group and is really starting to contribute to the environment.” “We feel really excited to have him in the group, and he seems to be enjoying it. You see it often with players when they come into a different environment under a different coaching group, it can be really refreshing, and he’s got a spring in his step. We’re looking forward to getting him out there in a few weeks’ time.” The Cantabrian will be aiming to make his Hurricanes debut against his former team when they face the Crusaders in Round 1 of the Super Rugby Pacific competition on February 14 (kick-off 7.05pm).

Mark Chapman was in fine form for the Auckland Aces as they beat the Otago Volts in Super Smash cricket PHOTO: LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY Double victories for Auckland over Otago in Super Smash cricket at Eden Park Outer Oval after some big individual performances. The Aces beat the Volts by 69 runs in the men's game, while the Heats defeated the Sparks by 25 runs. LATEST HEADLINES: Lopez standing tall for NZ Breakers Economic issues cancel Winter Games Late goal for Auckland FC secures draw Routliffe, Venus beaten in mixed semis Big names stand up in Super Smash In the men's clash the home team batted first and made 197-6 as Mark Chapman controlled the game scoring 68 from 40 balls with four sixes and six fours. Also contributing was Bevon Jacobs with 37 and Sean Solia 24 at the top of the order. Otago used seven different bowlers to try and stem the flow of runs with Andrw Hazeldine the best taking 2-19 from his four overs. At bat the Volts made 128 all out in the 17th over. Brothers, Dale and Glenn Phillips 40 and 21 respectively with Llew Johnson the only other player to make a score above 20 with 35. Adi Ashok took 2-22 while Simon Keene and Danru Ferns snared two wickets each. Meanwhile the Auckland women's side scored 162-2 thanks to Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green and Lauren Down making 46, 54 not out and 47 not out respectively. In reply Otago made 137-7 in their 20 overs as Suzie Bates scored eight, Anna Browning 25 while Caitlin Blakely and Hayley Jensen both compiled 21 each. Green and Prue Patton took two wickets each in the victory.

A pdoum finish for Kiwi Ben Richards in action at the top of the La Bamba PHOTO: JEREMY BERNARD/FREESKI WORLD TOUR. Wanaka's Ben Richards has kicked off his 2025 Freeride World Tour in style with a third place at the Baqueira Beret Pro in Spain. Richards, 24 who was named Rookie of the Year on the 2024 Freeride World Tour, carried his momentum from 2024 into the first event of 2025, putting down a trademark fast and fluid run that oozed style. LATEST HEADLINES: Daniel Hillier rockets to second in Dubai Super Smash wins for CD over Canterbury Routliffe, Dabrowski battle into third round Sam Mennenga steps up in Breakers win Venus loses in Australian Open first round Due to variable snow conditions, event organisers made the decision to move today’s competition to the La Bamba face, located in backcountry in the Baqueira Beret valley. It was the first time the Freeride World Tour has used this venue for competition, making for an exciting event with the athletes relying on a visual inspection only to select their lines. “I am stoked, honestly with these conditions I am happy to make it through the finish line on my feet. My run went better than I anticipated, the snow is petty spicy but still rippable, and we ski conditions like this all the time at home, so I just tried to stay positive," said Richards. He put down a fast, direct line with his skis remaining in the fall line to score exceptionally high in the fluidity category of the judging. Combined with plenty of airtime and a two huge 360s thrown off the features impressed the judges, with his run scoring a 89.00 which held in podium position throughout the remainder of the competition. Ross Tester of the USA took the win with compatriot Toby Rafford finishing second. The American athletes both put down impressive runs and were the only athletes to score in the 90s. Kiwi Conrad Niven started in his debut Freeride World Tour event, competing in the men’s snowboard category. Unfortunately, Niven was unable to stay on his feel and is looking forward to the next event. The Freeride World Tour continues in just over a week’s time with its maiden event in Val Thorens, France. The weather window for competition starts on the 27th of January.

Alice Robinson on her way to victory at the FIS Giant Slalom World Cup in Italy PHOTO: CHRISTOPHE PALLOT/AGNCE ZOOM Queenstown’s Alice Robinson has claimed her fourth careeer World Cup victory, taking the win at the Kronplatz FIS Giant Slalom World Cup in Italy. It had been four years since Robinson, 23, stood on top of a World Cup podium, with her last win in Lenzerheide in March 2021. LATEST HEADLINES: Highlanders name co-captains for 2025 Weather washes out Central Hinds' chances Routliffe, Dabrowski reach Australian semis Aces, Blaze split Super Smash T20 matches Barbarouses scores 100th in Phoenix victory She was thrilled to be back at one of her favourite race venues. “I am really quite speechless … it’s been four years since I last won and there were definitely some times in those four years where I wasn’t sure if I was going to win again, to be back winning here is so special. “I’m just proud, the second run I just really wanted to be brave and ski on the limit and I am really proud of that.” As Robinson had expected, it was an exceptionally tight race. After the first run the top-eight women were separated by less than a second. Robinson was sitting in fifth place, +0.49 seconds off the pace of leader Federica Brignone of Italy. Pushing out of the start gate for run two, Robinson knew she needed to produce something special to be in for a shot at the podium. “I knew after the first run that I had a little mistake, and I felt like the last few races I have been missing that extra gear to push a bit harder and take a few more risks. “In the second run I just really didn’t want to get to the finish and feel like I could have done more. I took a lot of risks and it wasn’t perfect, but it was fast.” said Robinson Robinson immediately begun to build speed and increase her advantage, taking the lead by almost a second as she blasted across the finish line. With the fastest four athletes still to take their second run, Robinson sat nervously in the leader’s seat. Sara Hector of Sweden and Brignone both recorded uncharacteristic DNFs. The two athletes who completed their runs were no match for Robinson’s lightning-fast second run and she took the win by over half a second. Robinson was joined on the podium by the 2024 FIS Giant Slalom Crystal Globe winner, Lara Gut-Behrami of Switzerland in second and Paula Moltzan from the United States third. Robinson will compete again at the World Ski Championships in the first two weeks of February in Saalbach, Austria.