GEPA pictures/ Mathias Mandl

The 32-year-old Swede Anna Swenn Larsson, who failed to qualify for the second slalom of the season, is now the third woman to win a World Cup slalom in the same season. She started the second run with a (-0.42) advantage over the leader in the finish and maintained most of it. Skiing with freedom not expected from a veteran with only one previous victory, she delivered excellence.

“It’s a dream come true and even if it was so nice to share the first victory with Wendy, it’s special to stand on the top by yourself as well,” said Swenn Larsson.

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Ten to ski

The first of the fastest ten skiers from the first run to ski was Sweden’s Sara Hector. She threatened the lead but crossed the finish line only (+0.05) behind the French skier, Chiara Pogneaux. However, the next to ski, Austria’s Katharina Liensberger, could do what the 20 before her couldn’t. She skied with tenacity and assumed the lead. However, Switzerland’s Camille Rast immediately bettered the Austrian by (-0.57).

That trend continued when Rast’s teammate Michelle Gisin was able to better her by (-0.14). Both Swiss skiers then saw off the skiing of Austrian Katharina Truppe.

Five to ski

That left the fastest five skiers from the morning yet to ski. The first was the German Lena Dürr, but she missed the timing on the steep and crossed into third. Canadian Ali Nullmeyer was the next to ski, and she increased her advantage through the first two timing sectors but then struggled in the final sector and crossed into fourth.

Final three

That left the three fastest from the first run to decide the podium.

The third fastest from the morning run was Croatian Zrinka Ljutic and she skied with a determination unmatched by the women who skied before her. She delivered the quickest second run time of the women who ended the day on the podium. She crossed (+0.53) ahead of Gisin.

“I was hoping for it today, of course, but I have time — it doesn’t really matter,” said Ljutic, who recently turned 20. “It’s so cool to have two podiums in a row.”

“I was really surprised when I saw the first place in the finish because I felt all over the place on the last pitch, but I felt like I had some tempo from the upper part, so I was fighting and I’m happy that it paid off,” she said.

The next to ski was Stifle US Ski Team’s Paula Moltzan. She could not match Ljutic, but she crossed into second, guaranteeing her second career podium.

“It’s been a season of highs and lows. So, happy to finally take a step on the podium,” she said. “Although we’re missing lots of top competitors, I don’t think it discounts anything today — the emotions are all there.”

It was then time for Sweden’s first run leader, Anna Swenn Larsson, and she outclassed them all. Using the 7th fastest second run, she wins her second career slalom.

“From not qualifying in Levi to standing on the top, it’s amazing,” she said while fighting back tears. “It’s a journey and I’m so proud of myself.”

North Americans

The first North American to ski the final course was Stifel US Ski Team’s AJ Hurt. She earned the third step on Saturday’s GS podium and achieved a slalom podium in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, earlier this season. True to form, Hurt was attacking and delivering a fast second run when she exceeded her limit and straddled in the final sector while skiing with the lead. She has one more opportunity to qualify for the slalom at the Saalbach finals.

The second North American to ski was the reigning World Champion from Canada, Laurence St-Germain, who was injured most of the season. She produced a solid first run but then struggled during the second. St-Germain ended the day in 19th. Her teammate Ali Nullmeyer also struggled to find speed on the second run but used her great first run to finish 7th.

Big gains second run

The first skier to attack the second run was France’s Chiara Pogneaux. The field had a much easier time finding the speed of the afternoon course, and Pogneaux made it look easy. She assumed the leader’s throne and didn’t relinquish its comfort for the next 20 racers. After 15 skiers had completed their final run, she had a (+0.32) over Italy’s Marta Rossetti. She had the fastest second run and ended the day in 10th.

Two other women gained 11 positions second run. Sweden’s Cornelia Oehlund used the third-fastest second run to finish tied for 14th, and Italy’s Vera Tschurtschenthaler used the second-fastest final run to finish 18th.

In a thrilling finale to the World Cup slalom event, Anna Swenn Larsson’s victory dominated headlines, but it was Paula Moltzan’s impressive performance that also left a lasting impression. As the season progresses, Moltzan’s podium finish adds another chapter to her remarkable journey, underscoring her resilience and determination in the face of challenges.

The next and final slalom of the regular season is scheduled to take place in Åre, Sweden, on March 10th.

Soldeu World Cup slalom results and analysis of the fastest three and other North Americans

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Analysis of the fastest three and other North Americans