Featured Image: Levi Podium. Credit: GEPA
After the first run, Mikaela Shiffrin achieved a substantial lead ahead of the field (-0.60). She entered the starting gate for her second run, ready to face the challenging conditions with a determined mindset and the chance to break records, which she accomplished.
The course set for the second run was straightforward, similar to the first run, with dynamic and punchable sections. Although the course started to rut, making critical sections more challenging, Shiffrin executed with grit, finishing the day -0.79 ahead of the field. She set significant milestones with this triumph by securing her eighth reindeer in Levi and marking her 98th career victory.
Shiffrin came in today feeling very confident and happy with her prep period. Before the second run, she stated, “I am physically in shape, and the final piece is the mentality. So, the first run was good, and the second run, I have to start from a clean slate and push again.”
After her triumphant second run, she stated, “An amazing way to start the slalom season. I am super happy.”
“It was a little bumpy; I was getting twisted sometimes, but I kept fighting. I didn’t have the perfect tempo, but enough good turns that it worked really well, so in the end, it was a really solid run,” Shiffrin explained.
The Podium
Katharina Liensberger of Austria was sitting in 4th position after the first run. She knew she had to execute a stellar second run to achieve a podium spot. Last season, she found the podium after two well-executed runs at Levi. She confidently achieved another podium on the hill to begin this season on a high note.
This marks the Austrian’s 4th podium in Levi and her 15th World Cup podium. She stated, “It’s amazing to be here in Levi. I really like it here and this gave me a good feeling for the whole season. I’m really looking forward to the next races.”
Lena Dürr rounded out the podium with a solid second run. The German athlete started the course ahead of Liensberger, but lost some speed through the ruts on the pitch. Nevertheless, she was able to secure a 3rd-place result.
Dürr finished second and third in Levi last season, so this adds to her great success under the lights.
North Americans
Stifel US Ski Team athlete Paula Moltzan came out of the start, igniting in the first section of the course. She bobbled slightly on the pitch but held it together and pushed onto the last section of the course. She was able to achieve 8th place. This marks Moltzan’s 17th top-10 World Cup slalom finish.
Paula Moltzan stated, “I am very excited! Never in my career have I had a successful race in Levi and it has always been a really hard place for me to start a slalom season when I know I am skiing good slalom.”
“So, to end up in the top 10 in the first race of the season, to some might not seem that great, but for me, it feels like a very big step forward,” Moltzan continued.
Alpine Canada Alpin Laurence St-Germain, who is making a comeback from injury, started the run aggressively, punching each gate. She continued to strive for increased speed despite encountering a setback as she entered the pitch. Ultimately, she crossed the finish line, securing 10th place.
This marks St-Germain’s 14th top-10 result in slalom and her 5th in Levi.
Her teammate, Amelia Smart, was the first North American to kick out of the start gate in the second run. The fresh track was advantageous in the second run, so the athletes needed to utilize their position and go full-throttle.
After winning the slalom NorAm Cup in Panorama Resort, BC, at the end of last season and scoring several times in the 2024 World Cup season, she came into this season with confidence. She blasted out of the start, establishing a lead in front of the few athletes that raced before her. However, she lost speed coming into the last section, which cost her time. Concluding the day in 23rd place.
Ali Nullmeyer, the third Canadian to start, was in 12th position heading into the second run. Sadly, she started the run with speed but straddled at the top of the pitch.
Unfortunately, Katie Hensien and Nina O’Brien of the Stifel US Ski Team did not finish the first run.
Other Notable Performances
21-year-old Emma Aicher from Germany threw down an impressive run that pushed Laurence St-Germain out of the leader’s chair by over seven-tenths. Impressively, she achieved her best result at the end of last season, earning 7th place in Åre, Sweden. She achieved 9th place today, starting the season off in a great position.
The French athlete Clarisse Breche, skiing for Club Des Sport Courchevel, was the highest bib number to qualify for the second run. Skiing from bib-58 to 30th position, the 23-year-old was the first to kick out of the start of the second run. The clean track gave the athlete the chance to move up. She set the time to beat at 54.30, an overall time of 1:49.48.
Breche has scored in four previous World Cup races, with her top finish being 20th place. She concluded the day with a career-best 12th place.
Top 30 Results
Analysis of the Top Three
Analysis of North Americans
About the Author: Ellie Hartman
