Canadian Valerie Grenier leads Kranjska Gora GS

Valerie Grenier’s first run – Photo: GEPA Pictures

Kranjska Gora offered an exciting start to the first of its two GSs. After the first seven finished, only 1.00 seconds separated the group. At the end of the initial run, the fastest five are separated by only 0.31 of a second. The course was fast and flowed from the first gate to the last. If the first run course setter’s intention was to keep the field together, it is mission accomplished. The first group was comfortably in the finish before the first run leader would be identified. Canadian Valerie Grenier, bib 12, will take a 0.04 of a second lead into the final run. Grenier’s best finishes in her 89 previous World Cup races were fourth in this race last year and fourth in a super-G in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, in 2019. Tenth place Maryna Gasienica-Daniel, bib 15, is a mere 0.93 seconds off the Canadian leader. Could this be a day for another North American to take her first podium?

While the course didn’t provide any significant tests, it has provided a tightly packed field with very few of the best racers facing considerable difficulty. The weather has cooperated with the expert course crew and conditions are undoubtedly excellent. There was fog, but it didn’t seem to affect anyone. There was an opportunity to move up the ranks for any committed racers skiing well.

Switzerland’s Lara Gut Behrami finds herself second to the Canadian, and Overall World Cup leader Mikaela Shiffrin is in contention, 0.31 of a second off the lead in 5th. The two top Italians sit 3rd and 4th. Federica Brignone and season GS World Cup leader Marta Bassino both charged top to bottom and have put themselves in contention for victory.

USA’s Paula Moltzan continues to show she is a two-event threat. Moltzan finished the run 14th, only 1.18 seconds off the lead of Grenier. Unfortunately, Nina O’Brien’s return to elite status after her Olympic injury will have to wait another day. O’Brien was the only woman to start in the top 30 that did not finish. It was a bit scary to see her slide down the finish pitch, but thankfully, she could stand quickly and ski to the finish.

Four women with bibs higher than 30 could qualify for the second run. The last starter to do so was Austrian Nina Astner, bib 52, who finished 30th and will start the second run 1st. Three North Americans will compete in the final run.

Analysis of top three and qualified North Americans and first run top 30 results

Top 30 first run results in Kranjska Gora January 7th women’s GS

The Associated Press contributed to this story.