Italy's World Cup skiing team is returning to Europe from America this week buoyed by two surprise wins in the longer events.
Peter Fill notched the first downhill success of his career at Lake Louise, a Canadian course that has been kind to Italy over the years, while Nadia Fanchini followed up with her first World Cup super-G win.
The victories boosted the morale of the speed skiers after the retirements of Isolde Kostner and Kristian Ghedina.
But at both Beaver Creek and Lake Louise, Italy was disappointed in the shorter events with Denise Karbon, Max Blardone and Manfred Moelgg performing under par.
An even bigger blow was No.1 slalomer Chiara Costazza suffering a season-ending ripped tendon.
The Italian women will be at Spain's La Molina venue for a giant slalom Saturday and a slalom Sunday while the men have the same programme at Val d'Isere, the location of this year's world championships in February.
In a previously unscheduled curtain-raiser for the men, there'll be a super combined on Friday to make up for the race that was snowed out at Beaver Creek.
Fill excels in this event.
