Mikaela Shiffrin / GEPA pictures
Stifel U.S. Ski Team Goes 1–2 as Shiffrin Leads Flachau Night Slalom First Run
The Stifel U.S. Ski Team set the tone immediately in Flachau, with Mikaela Shiffrin and Paula Moltzan running one-two after the first run.
Shiffrin leads at 56.22, holding a slim but decisive 0.19-second advantage over Moltzan. Together, they set a tone that immediately separated the race into contenders and survivors.
Top Five After the First Run
- Bib 7 — Mikaela Shiffrin 🇺🇸 USA (1995) — +0.00 — Atomic, Oakley
- Bib 5 — Paula Moltzan 🇺🇸 USA (1994) — +0.19
- Bib 2 — Katharina Truppe 🇦🇹 AUT (1996) — +0.35
- Bib 6 — Camille Rast 🇨🇭 SUI (1999) — +0.78 — HEAD
- Bib 13 — Anna Swenn Larsson 🇸🇪 SWE (1991) — +0.80 — HEAD
U.S. Skiing Sets the Benchmark Early
Wendy Holdener opened the Flachau night slalom at a venue second to none for atmosphere, laying down a 57.02 to set the early reference. Austria’s Katharina Truppe followed immediately and lit up the home crowd, gaining time from top to bottom to move into a commanding early lead.
That advantage did not last long.
Moltzan, the first of seven Stifel U.S. Ski Team starters, skied with freedom and intent. Already qualified for the Olympics, she attacked the salted surface, carried speed through the middle, and cleanly displaced Truppe to take the lead by 0.16 seconds.
Shiffrin Responds — and Raises the Bar
Starting moments later, Shiffrin delivered the response only she can. After falling behind early, she rebuilt speed through the heart of the course, posted the fastest third sector, and protected her line on the final pitch to reclaim the lead by 0.19 seconds — locking in a U.S. one-two at the top of the board.
“The snow is pretty salted and doesn’t give you a lot back,” Shiffrin said. “I tried to remember how the rollers ski and just push. This is one of those hills where it only feels good if you’re really charging.”
Elite Seven Clarify the Race
Once the elite seven had finished, the separation was clear. Shiffrin and Moltzan controlled the top, with Truppe still very much in touch. Rast and Swenn Larsson stayed within striking distance, but the time gaps widened sharply beyond that group on a surface that offered less and less feedback.
Germany’s Lena Dürr and Albania’s Lara Colturi both slipped out of contention after losing significant time through the middle of the course.
North American Qualifiers — First Run Point List
Stifel U.S. Ski Team 🇺🇸
- Bib 7 — Mikaela Shiffrin 🇺🇸 (1995) — 1st — +0.00 — Atomic, Oakley
- Bib 5 — Paula Moltzan 🇺🇸 (1994) — 2nd — +0.19
- Bib 43 — Nina O’Brien 🇺🇸 (1997) — 23rd — +3.37
Alpine Canada Alpin 🇨🇦
- Bib — Laurence St-Germain 🇨🇦 (1994) — 9th — +2.35
- Bib 32 — Ali Nullmeyer 🇨🇦 (1998) — 25th — +3.42 — Atomic
Stifel U.S. Ski Team: Selection Stakes in Focus
Shiffrin, Moltzan, and Nina O’Brien all advanced to the second run. All three have already met Olympic selection criteria, with O’Brien qualified through giant slalom. Flachau marks the final slalom the Stifel U.S. Ski Team will use for Olympic selection decisions for the third of four spots.
A.J. Hurt, returning after missing much of the early season with a hip injury sustained during training at Copper Mountain in November, did not finish. However, her 13th-place result in Kranjska Gora currently keeps her inside the Olympic selection picture.
Alpine Canada Alpin Fights Through
The first Canadian on course, 2023 world champion Laurence St-Germain, lost time from top to bottom and crossed the line 2.35 seconds back but remained safely inside the cutoff.
Ali Nullmeyer delivered one of the most encouraging runs of the night, skiing into the top 25 at 3.42 seconds back after battling back pain this season. Both Canadians advanced.
Surface Deteriorates Under the Lights
The heavily salted surface failed to hold up as the race progressed. Grip faded, the snow stopped responding, and mistakes multiplied.
It was good to see Katie Hensien, Stifel US Ski Team, back in the start gate. Making her first slalom start of the season after injury, she did not finish as conditions grew increasingly demanding.
First Run Qualifiers (Bib 31+)
- Bib 43 — Nina O’Brien 🇺🇸 USA (1997) — 23rd — +3.37
- Bib 32 — Ali Nullmeyer 🇨🇦 CAN (1998) — 25th — +3.42 — Atomic
- Bib 38 — Nika Tomšič 🇸🇮 SLO (2000) — 26th — +3.48
- Bib 36 — Aline Höpli 🇨🇭 SUI (2001) — 27th — +3.65
- Bib 45 — Aline Danioth 🇨🇭 SUI (1999) — 29th — +3.86
- Bib 71 — Noa Szöllős 🇮🇱 ISR (2002) — 30th — +4.18
Highest bib to qualify: Bib 71 — Szöllős
Fastest finisher among bibs 31+: Bib 43 — O’Brien
Szöllős delivered one of the biggest surprises of the first run, qualifying for the second run for the second consecutive race from deep in the field.
First Run Top 30
click images to enlarge
Run Analysis: Leaders & Other Qualified North Americans
About the Author: Peter Lange
