The Final Five Take Center Stage
The Women’s GS in Semmering came down to the fastest five skiers from the first run, delivering a nail-biting finale on the Panorama slope. Canadian Valerie Grenier, the first of this elite group to take the course, put down a strong performance but finished just 0.04 seconds behind New Zealand’s Alice Robinson, who had seized the lead moments earlier.
“I was feeling frazzled after the DNF in Killington and a bit nervous coming into today,” Robinson admitted. “In the first run, I let my confidence slip a little and hesitated on some turns, but in the second run, I really charged and went for it. It wasn’t perfect, but the intent was there, and I’m happy with the result.”
Next up was Stifel U.S. Ski Team’s Paula Moltzan. She skied with precision and determination, finishing 0.21 seconds behind Robinson. Her performance was strong enough to knock Austria’s Julia Scheib, the fastest skier on the second run, off the podium. However, the pressure only mounted as the top contenders prepared for their final runs.
Olympic Champion Sets the Bar
Sweden’s Sara Hector, the Olympic champion, was the next to attack the course. She showcased her trademark power and control, crossing the finish line with a 0.33-second lead over Robinson. The Austrian crowd, now buzzing with excitement, braced for the final two racers.
“Brignone was skiing really well and pushing hard in the second run—I didn’t quite have that gas in me,” Hector admitted. Losing the red bib as the World Cup Giant Slalom leader to the Italian, she added, “Brignone’s a little ahead of me now, so I just have to ski faster next time.”
A Guaranteed Podium for Robinson
Switzerland’s Lara Gut-Behrami, the reigning World Cup GS champion, was the next to challenge the leader’s time. Despite her aggressive approach, she struggled to find her rhythm on the demanding Panorama slope and finished well off the pace, ninth. Her result secured Robinson a spot on the podium, leaving only Italy’s Federica Brignone at the start, ready to defend her first-run lead.
Brignone Delivers a Masterclass
Almost predictably, Brignone delivered excellence on her run. Skiing with precision and power, she fought through a bumpy ride to cross the line in first, securing her 14th World Cup GS victory and her second of the young season. With this win, Brignone once again extended her record as the oldest woman to win a World Cup. Screaming with joy and flashing a wide smile, she embraced the cheers of the appreciative Austrian crowd.
“It was not easy, but the slope was amazing,” Brignone said after securing her first podium in Semmering. “I really wanted this, and I’m so happy. It was a tough race, but I felt good today. I wanted to fight, and I wasn’t too stressed, so I’m happy with the result.”
On extending her record as the oldest winner, Brignone added, “I’m again the oldest winner. I’d like to beat my record again this season—we’ll see! It feels like an amazing Christmas and New Year present.”
A Star-Studded Podium
Brignone stood atop the podium for the first time in Semmering, finishing 0.57 seconds ahead of Hector, who claimed second. The Olympic champion now has two GS podiums this season. Robinson earned her second podium of the season as well, finishing third in another impressive performance for the young Kiwi skier. Once again, the women’s GS podium featured a star-studded lineup.
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Afternoon Drama Unfolds in Semmering
The second run of the Women’s GS in Semmering brought excitement and drama, with the unique reverse start order setting the stage for thrilling lead changes. The skier who qualified 30th in the first run took to the course first, while the fastest from the morning waited until the end to defend their position.
With the race so tightly contested after the first run, surprises were inevitable. The afternoon finale tested the athletes’ ability to maintain composure under pressure and adapt to the evolving course conditions. The Panorama race slope, rarely exposed to direct sunlight, helped preserve the surface, minimizing significant deterioration throughout the second run.
Early Lead Changes Define the Second Run
The second run created a thrilling sequence of constant lead changes. After the first ten racers had completed their runs, the leader’s chair had seen five different occupants. Poland’s Maryna Gasienica-Daniel emerged as the standout, setting a blistering pace to lead Norway’s Kajsa Vickhoff Lie by 0.31 seconds.
Gasienica-Daniel Holds as Field Progresses
After the first half of the field had raced, Poland’s Maryna Gasienica-Daniel remained in the lead. However, her margin narrowed as Stifel U.S. Ski Team’s Nina O’Brien delivered an impressive run, moving into second place just 0.09 seconds behind. With 15 more skiers still to race, the competition was far from over.
It wasn’t until the 18th skier on the course, home-country hero Scheib—the last Austrian woman to earn a World Cup GS podium—raced that a new leader emerged. By that time, Gasienica-Daniel had moved up seven places. The excitement grew even more when Ricarda Haaser, another Austrian, moved into second, finishing 0.98 seconds behind Scheib.
Austria Holds Strong With Ten to Go
With ten racers remaining, Austria held the top two positions. Scheib led the field, with Haaser in second, 0.98 seconds back. However, the fastest women from the first run were yet to ski, leaving the race outcome far from decided.
The first of those to challenge was Norway’s Thea Louise Stjernesund. Despite a strong effort, she finished in second, 0.78 seconds behind Scheib. The crowd erupted in cheers, and when Scheib retained the lead with only eight racers to go, the fans began to dream of a home-country podium. With seven left to ski, Scheib still led Croatia’s Zrinka Ljutic by 0.14 seconds. Finally, New Zealand’s Alice Robinson, the 25th racer, took the leader’s chair from the Austrian. However, five top contenders remained at the start.
Strong Finish for North Americans
All seven North Americans completed the race, showcasing their depth and determination. Grenier led the group, finishing just off the podium in 4th. Moltzan followed closely in 5th, while O’Brien secured 15th. Gray placed 20th, with Richardson finishing 23rd. Hurt, in her first race of the season, claimed 27th. Hensien struggled with grip during her second run and couldn’t find her rhythm, falling 14 spots to 28th, but she is having a great GS season.
Looking Ahead to Semmering Slalom
The excitement in Semmering isn’t over yet. On Dec. 29, the women return to the Panorama race slope for a highly anticipated slalom. With another tight competition expected, all eyes will be on the athletes as they battle for the final victory of 2024. Notably, 11 nations were represented among the fastest 11 in today’s GS, showcasing the incredible depth and diversity of the field.
Race Results
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Run Analysis: Fastest Three and North Americans
About the Author: Peter Lange
