Sara Hector: GEPA pictures
Brignone Leads Tight Kronplatz GS First Run
The Kronplatz women’s giant slalom opened under perfect blue skies, with a massive, enthusiastic crowd lining the Erta race piste.
First Run: Kronplatz Giant Slalom Highlights
A Bold Start on the Erta Piste
Sweden’s Olympic Champion Sara Hector opened the race with an aggressive run, revealing the Erta course as high-speed and demanding courage from the world’s best. Perfect conditions on the meticulously prepared track allowed athletes to rise to the challenge.
Brignone Takes the Lead
After the first seven racers, Italy’s Federica Brignone surged into the lead. A two-time GS winner this season, Brignone edged Switzerland’s Lara Gut-Behrami by just 0.19 seconds. Greeted by a jubilant Italian crowd at the finish, she delivered an electrifying performance.
Tight Race at the Top
At the end of the first run, Brignone held her 0.19-second lead over Gut-Behrami, with Hector in third, 0.27 seconds back. Seven skiers were within a second of the leader, setting the stage for a thrilling second run.
First Run Challenges
The demanding Erta piste presented significant challenges, with two DNFs among the first 15 racers. Italy’s Marta Bassino was a surprise DNS, narrowing the field early on.
By the time the first 30 racers had completed their runs, there were still two DNFs and one DNS. Athletes with late bib numbers faced even greater pressure to ski exceptionally well and qualify for the second run.
Late Bib Numbers Shine
Five racers with bibs above 30 met the challenge and qualified for the finale. Leading this group was Italy’s Lara Della Mea, wearing bib 39. She finished 22nd, 2.35 seconds back, the highest bib number to make the cut. The time spread among the 30 fastest was a considerable 2.80 seconds.
North Americans on the Erta Piste
Stifel U.S. Ski Team
Moltzan Struggles on the Steep
Paula Moltzan, wearing bib 11, struggled on the steep pitch, losing time but managing a solid effort. She finished 1.15 seconds back, placing 10th after the first run and setting herself up for an improvement in the second run.
Hurt Consistent but Lacking Speed
AJ Hurt, starting with bib 12, skied consistently but lacked the pace of the leaders. She finished 1.89 seconds back, placing 17th after the first run.
O’Brien Adds a Strong Run
Nina O’Brien delivered a solid performance for the U.S. team, skiing into 12th place with a time 1.22 seconds off the leader.
Hensien Makes the Cut
Katie Hensien was the final U.S. skier to qualify, finishing 24th. This marks her fifth consecutive GS qualification after returning from injury.
Alpine Canada Alpin
Grenier Shines with Early Start
Canada’s Valérie Grenier, wearing bib 10, delivered a strong run, finishing sixth fastest in the morning.
Richardson Impresses with Bib 27
The standout North American performance came from Canada’s Britt Richardson. The 21-year-old skied brilliantly, finishing just 1.02 seconds back to claim ninth place.
With their coach, Pierre Miniotti, setting the course, Alpine Canada Alpin placed two athletes in the top 10, showcasing their strength on the challenging Erta piste.
Moritz Makes Her Debut
The Kronplatz GS also marked the World Cup debut for Liv Moritz. While she fell short of qualifying, the experience of her first World Cup race will undoubtedly be unforgettable.
Looking Ahead
The North Americans showed promise, with Grenier, Richardson, Moltzan and O’Brien positioning themselves for strong second-run performances. Brignone leads a tightly packed field into the finale, where seven skiers are within a second, promising an exciting finish on one of the season’s toughest GS tracks.
Top 30 First-Run Results with Analysis of the Fastest Three and North American Qualifiers
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Analysis of the Fastest Three and North American Qualifiers
About the Author: Peter Lange
