From Lillehammer, NOR
(November 18, 2022) – Great Britain’s Freya Tarbit won her first ever IBSF international gold medal with a win in the opening race of the 2022/2023 IBSF European Cup season in Lillehammer, edging Italy’s Alessia Crippa to do so.
Tarbit carried a .1 second lead over Crippa after the first run, with USA’s Mystique Ro in the hunt as well. On the second Crippa had the quicker downtime, but Tarbit’s downtime was just enough to hold off the Italian, giving Tarbit the .01 second victory over Crippa.
The win for Tarbit was her first ever podium in European Cup action. Her previous best finish was a fifth place result in her first ever European Cup race in Igls.
Crippa’s finish was the closest she’s ever been to gold. The Italian now has four silver medals on the EC circuit, but none as close as Friday’s race.
Mystique Ro, who won the Intercontinental Cup opener in Lillehammer, finished third in the European Cup opener. She had the quick start in both heats on her way to bronze.
Great Britain’s Tabitha Stoecker jumped up from sixth to fourth with her second run, while Germany’s Stefanie Votz and Viktoria Hansova finished fifth and sixth, respectively.
The United States placed both of their women in the top twenty, with Michelle Toukan placing 13th. Italy’s Alessandra Fumagalli finished one spot behind in 14th after popping a groove in the first heat.
Results:
| Pos | Name | Nation | Bib | Start 1 | Start 2 | Run 1 | Run 2 | Finish |
| 1 | Freya Tarbit | GBR | 10 | 5.17 | 5.17 | 53.91 | 54.16 | 1:48.07 |
| 2 | Alessia Crippa | ITA | 8 | 5.17 | 5.14 | 54.01 | 54.07 | 1:48.08 |
| 3 | Mystique Ro | USA | 13 | 5.06 | 5.08 | 54.05 | 54.23 | 1:48.28 |
| 4 | Tabitha Stoecker | GBR | 6 | 5.14 | 5.11 | 54.41 | 54.26 | 1:48.67 |
| 5 | Stefanie Votz | GER | 4 | 5.69 | 5.69 | 54.29 | 54.67 | 1:48.96 |
| 6 | Viktoria Hansova | GER | 15 | 5.38 | 5.36 | 54.69 | 54.47 | 1:49.16 |
| 7 | Sara Schmied | SUI | 2 | 5.33 | 5.33 | 54.91 | 54.48 | 1:49.39 |
| 8 | Selina Frohberger | GER | 11 | 5.51 | 5.41 | 54.73 | 54.72 | 1:49.45 |
| 9 | Annia Unterscheider | AUT | 12 | 5.56 | 5.56 | 54.39 | 55.07 | 1:49.46 |
| 10 | Hanna Staub | GER | 5 | 5.52 | 5.47 | 54.78 | 54.95 | 1:49.73 |
| 11 | Anna Saulite | AUT | 9 | 5.60 | 5.66 | 55.19 | 55.16 | 1:50.35 |
| 12 | Marta Andzane | LAT | 21 | 5.52 | 5.51 | 55.22 | 55.66 | 1:50.88 |
| 13 | Michelle Toukan | USA | 1 | 5.28 | 5.26 | 55.23 | 55.69 | 1:50.92 |
| 14 | Alessandra Fumagalli | ITA | 7 | 5.77 | 5.17 | 56.53 | 54.49 | 1:51.02 |
| 15 | Carolin Alexa Andrae | SUI | 14 | 5.35 | 5.37 | 55.97 | 55.43 | 1:51.40 |
| 16 | Paulina Ewald Grondal | SWE | 16 | 5.90 | 5.96 | 55.92 | 55.95 | 1:51.87 |
| 17 | Vanesa Vidina | LAT | 26 | 5.44 | 5.52 | 56.01 | 56.15 | 1:52.16 |
| 18 | Nanna Johansen | DEN | 18 | 5.64 | 5.61 | 56.04 | 56.33 | 1:52.37 |
| 19 | Angel Osakue | ITA | 3 | 5.47 | 5.48 | 56.45 | 56.49 | 1:52.94 |
| 20 | Laura Legere | LAT | 27 | 5.53 | 5.60 | 56.63 | 56.59 | 1:53.22 |
| 21 | Darta Neimane | LAT | 20 | 5.51 | 57.05 | |||
| 22 | Siji Song | CHN | 23 | 5.41 | 57.20 | |||
| 23 | Kateryna Kuts | UKR | 24 | 5.82 | 57.52 | |||
| 24 | Ioana Toma | ROU | 22 | 5.57 | 57.59 | |||
| 25 | Agurtzane Castrillo | ESP | 17 | 6.34 | 58.21 | |||
| 26 | Serena Juan | ESP | 19 | 5.84 | 59.40 | |||
| 27 | Annelies van Dijk | NED | 28 | 5.55 | 59.67 | |||
| 28 | Adelina Badara | ROU | 25 | 5.76 | 59.73 |
