'Lots of learning and experience' for Comerford as he finishes 37th in super-G

Comerford, a 29-year-old qualified engineer from Dublin who works with a Limerick-based company, felt he made some mistakes during Wednesday's run

Cormac Comerford: "I knew I had the capability, the strength and the power to challenge this slope." Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Cormac Comerford finished 37th in the super-G at the Winter Olympics on Wednesday adding to his 34th in the downhill on Saturday. 

On one of the world's toughest courses, the Dubliner crossed the line in 1:34.58. He was the slowest of the 37 finishers. Though, five others did not manage to complete the course. 

Switzerland claimed gold and bronze through Franjo von Allmen and Marco Odermatt, respectively, while the USA's Ryan Cochran-Siegle took silver. 

“There are lots of emotions, lots of new feelings, lots of learning and experience," said the 29-year-old Comerford.

"It’s a lot to take in. I’m glad to have shaved a bit of time off my downhill and bring it down in the Super-G.

“I knew I had the capability, the strength and the power to challenge this slope. Coming down the downhill and making it down was a really big step for me, and it gave me a lot more confidence going into the Super-G."

Comerford, a qualified engineer who works with a Limerick-based company, felt he made some mistakes during Wednesday's run. 

“It wasn’t as fast as I would have liked, but it’s all experience for me and learning in the speed events," he said.

"I was a little tentative on a couple of spots, one or two areas like the Canalino, and then these small little areas and speed – they carry a lot throughout [the run], so you end up losing a lot.

“I really tried to pin it down in the end and keep it as clean as possible. I could feel the speed there; the conditions were definitely changing throughout the race. It was getting a lot more humid, and kind of wet and sticky. I think I managed alright, despite the mistakes and I tried to keep it clean.

“It was nice to do the speed events, a lot of extra work, but I’m really proud that I had the opportunity, and I pulled myself together and brought it down. There’s a lot of carryover that I can take into the slalom and giant slalom, like the visualisation. The preparation is more intense and precise, and those things all contribute towards every other event."

Next up for Comerford is is giant slalom on Sunday. 

“I’m really proud of myself that I was able to do it, prepare for it, and bring it down," he said. 

"It’s a great experience and I’ll bring that forward. The hype around the Stelvio slope is huge – everyone calls it the toughest downhill in the world, and it’s pretty gnarly. 

"At this time of year, it’s fairly mellow so it’s nice to be able to race now with the conditions aren’t quite as gnarly, but the slope is really challenging. I enjoy it. I love a challenge.

“When the going gets tough, that’s when I get going. I love the challenge, and it’s great fun in the end to bring it down.”