The red slope on Sljeme is ready for another edition of the Snow Queen Trophy spectacle in Zagreb next month.
Sljeme’s red slope was given the green light at the FIS control for the Snow Queen Trophy ski race in January. Four Croatian skiers will take on the race, including Istok Rodeš who won the seventh place at the World Cup slalom in the Italian Madonna di Campiglio, reports Gol.hr on December 28, 2018.
The seventh place by Rodeš was the second best result of Croatian skiers in Madonna di Campiglio, where Ivica Kostelić was the winner in 2003 and won the seventh place in 2005. This is also the first Croatian top 10 in the slalom race since Ivica’s 10th place at the finals of the World Cup in Lenzerheide in 2014. However, the 22-year-old Varaždin native is not experiencing total euphoria just yet.
Rodeš was the world junior champion in the 2016 slalom, and despite having a start number of 66 in Italy, he managed to achieve an excellent seventh place finish.
“I thought that the track was the same for everyone, unfortunately I did not have the best number, but in Madonna that did not play a role. I knew that when I was in and when the opportunity opened up, and if I showed what I could, then I could go far - and the good thing is that from now, I will have many better starting numbers,” said Rodeš.
At Sljeme, Rodeš should start with the number 37, and with his excellent form, he should also secure a good score.
“We all know the course very well, and we’ve been competing here since we were little. And for now, it looks terrific. I think it could be icy, which I'm comfortable with. My form is, of course, good and I hope I can continue in this direction."
Matej Vidović, who will perform for the first time at the Snow Queen, will also compete in the first 30, as well as Elias Kolega and Filip Zubčić.
"I think that this team is the strongest and best we've had. Maybe we do not have someone who won the World Cup like Ivica did, but never before have we had four riders who could be in the top 30 for the slalom. Of course, Filip is in the giant slalom. I think the male team is great and that with some time we can achieve serious results in the World Cup."
In Zagreb, there is yet another advantage for our Croatian skiers, and that is that they’re performing in front of a home audience at Sljeme.
"I do not know how much it helps or not, because when you are racing it is no longer important, but of course you want to try harder in the race because you are at home.”
Our Croatian skiers will fight for points in the Snow Queen Trophy at Sljeme on January 6, 2019, with the first run at 12:15 pm and the second at 15:30. On January 5, 2019, the female skiers will take to the slopes, with the first race at 13:00 and the second at 16:00.
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