Vlhová Triumphs in Epic World Cup: Shiffrin Takes Second

Petra Vlhová GEPA pictures/Patrick Steiner

With only Mikaela Shiffrin remaining in the start, Slovakia’s Petra Vlhová put down the fastest final run. Tonight, Shiffrin could not match her performance. The race came down to the world’s two best. This time, it was Vlhová leaving with the victory. Shiffrin skied well and delivered the second-fastest final run but ended the day second (+0.24) behind the Slovakian winner. However, she finishes a significant (-1.82) ahead of third-place Austrian Katharina Truppe. The two best women continue to show they are in a class of their own. The Courchevel night slalom was competition at its very best.

“I am feeling great, with big confidence,” Vlhova said. “The last races, I was always there, but something was missing. This victory is really important. I know that I can be fast, and today I showed.” she continued, “It’s really good for our sport because I think we are pushing each other. We are maybe putting our skiing to higher levels.”

After the first run, Shiffrin shared her thoughts, “Yeah, it’s tough. You see a big gap; that’s because there’s not much to push on,” Shiffrin said about the weakened surface of the Stade E. Allais course. I felt very good about my skiing, but it was a huge advantage to start number one. It’s quite challenging conditions,”

After the race, Shiffrin said, “She (Vlhova) was stronger today, but I had some really good skiing.”

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First run leaders finish the show

The final five racers of the second run are expected to decide on the podium. The first of the last five was third-place Austrian Katharina Truppe. She left the start with a (0.03) advantage over her teammate, then leader Katharina Gallhuber. Truppe expanded her advantage and crossed with a (-0.56) lead. Next, Stifel US Ski Team’s Paula Moltzan made a mistake and crossed into third. Moltzan ended the day 5th (+2.64). Then, there were only three women remaining at the start. The first of the three was Austrian Katharina Liensberger, who struggled and crossed in 16th. However, the fastest two in the world would not be denied. The battle of the Titans continues.

Canadian Ali Nullmeyer also ends the evening on a high note. The former Middlebury Panther continues to deliver strong skiing and finishes. Tonight, she completed the race 13th (+3.59)

The Courchevel World Cup was decided on a night with fog and rain. There is nothing in ski racing as exciting as the second run of a night slalom. Fortunately, skiing in fog is easier under the bright lights. The women gave the run energetic efforts, knowing the Christmas break was next on their schedules. They entertained the fans and delivered another thriller.

Significant moves up the rankings

Ski racing’s reverse 30 format produces drama. One of the great stories the format creates is the opportunity for the early second-run starters to move significantly up the leaderboard. One of the night’s big movers was the first to ski the final course, Switzerland’s Elena Stoffel. She moved up 14 positions using the 3rd fastest last run and finished the evening 16th (+3.69). After the first ten completed the second run course, the leaders were Austrian Franziska Gritsch, who recently left her national team to train independently and her former teammate Katharina Huber. After the first 15 women finished their skiing, Norwegian Kristin Lysdahl was in the lead. She held that lead for the next five racers. Then, the Swiss skier Michelle Gisin was on the leader’s throne with ten left to ski. Gisin was still the leader, with only six left to ski and ended the race in 6th place. However, the most significant final run move up the leaderboard came from Norway’s Thea Louise Stjernesund, 13th, improving 15 positions under the lights.

Unfortunately, for every racer who moves up the leaderboard, one or more are moving down. Undoubtedly, Stifel US Ski Team member AJ Hurt can deliver top-15 skiing, but today, she was one of the racers to spend the second run descending the ranks. However, she scored her career-best slalom 25th, scored points in the discipline for only the second time and earned her first slalom points of the new season. Additionally, Canadian Amelia Smart could not capitalize on her first run success. Smart was ranked 18th after the first run but ended the day last 26th.

The next women’s World Cup features a giant slalom in Lienz, Austria, on December 28th and 29th.

December 21st Courchevel World Cup night slalom results analysis of the fastest three and qualified North Americans

Analysis of the fastest three and North Americans