Featured Image: Gürgl podium with Mikaela Shiffrin, Camille Rast and Lara Colturi. Credit: GEPA
Today was an exhilarating day of racing in Austria as the women competed on the Gürgl track for the first time on the World Cup circuit.
This steep and technical hill brings challenging variables, causing the women to ski smart, maintain pressure on the outside ski, and focus on quick transitions while gunning it for a chance on the leaderboard.
Mikaela stated after the first run, “It was quite challenging. I think it’s because the surface is really unique and it has been so cold.”
“I think everybody is feeling a little bit strange and it is also so hard to keep forward,” Mikaela explained.
Nevertheless, the challenge did not deter the Stifel US Ski Team star from skiing strong and confidently into the lead.
In the first run, Shiffrin had built a significant lead over her competitors until Wendy Holdener from Switzerland, competing in bib-14, crossed the finish line just +0.13 seconds behind Shiffrin’s time. This added to the pressure of the second run for Shiffrin.
Nevertheless, Shiffrin capped off the day by securing her 99th World Cup win and her 62nd slalom title. This remarkable achievement sets her up for the potential milestone of her 100th victory at the Killington race in her home country next weekend.
She stated, “It feels really satisfying to have a great run down that slope.”
She also boasts about her team and serviceman for making today possible. She stated, “My skis felt perfect. My serviceman Robbie, he knocked it out of the park. I am so thankful for the support from my team, everybody just made it happen.
Debuts on the Podium
Lara Colturi from Albania had an incredible day on the slopes, showcasing seriously powerful skiing. She edged out Switzerland’s Camille Rast for the 2nd place spot by a mere 0.02 seconds. This is a historic moment as she’s the first Albanian to land on the podium, marking her first top-3 result.
This was also Rast’s first podium finish. Last season, she achieved her first top 10 in Flachau, Austria, placing 9th.
It was a heartfelt moment as they both celebrated their inaugural podium results.
Lara Colturi stated, “I’m really happy and I just want to say thank you to all my team and all the people that they are just by my side all the time, so thank you.”
“At that stage, I am just having fun and doing my best and we will see what I can do,” Colturi explained.
In Mikaela Shiffrin’s end-of-the-race interview she reminisced about her first podium finish. She explained, “It was such a special feeling.”
“It is the beginning of your career and the future is showing that there are no limits, and that’s just such a wonderful feeling,” she continued.
North Americans
Stifel US Ski Team athlete Paula Moltzan achieved 8th place in Levi to kick off the season, which she was thrilled about: “To end up in the top-10 in the first race of the season, to some might not seem like it’s that great, but to me, it feels like a very big step forward to see where the season can go after this.”
She came today prepared to go all out. She skied confidently and aggressively from top-to-bottom of both runs. Moltzan achieved 6th place.
Alpine Canada Alpin’s Ali Nullmeyer was the first North American to start the second run. Last season, she achieved 4 top-10 finishes. However, she started this season in Levi with a DNF. Therefore, she was ready to redeem herself and put down a solid two runs.
She ignited out of the start but got jostled into the backseat slightly at the top of the pitch, which caused her to over ski. She ended successfully, finishing two respectable runs, achieving 18th place.
Her teammate, Laurence St-Germain, took advantage of the top section and came into the pitch with a substantial lead. She skied the pitch smart but lost time in the final part of the course. She ended the day in 11th place.
Katie Hensien of the Stifel US Ski Team was not holding back from the start, punching from gate to gate. She established a lead on the top section, but as she came onto the pitch, she hooked a gate and got thrown out of the course.
Notable Performances
Wendy Holdener was in 2nd place, coming into the second run. However, she had a harder time on the pitch in the second run, but was still able to hold onto an impressive 4th-place finish. She was only 0.18 off of the podium.
This day was remarkable, as Holdener had been navigating the sorrow of her brother’s passing after the previous season. She placed 16th in Levi, but today, she advanced to secure a position within the top five.
Croatian skier, Zrinka Ljutic had a successful season last year, racking up four podium finishes. She kicked things off in Levi with a solid 6th place. Still, she mentioned, “I always feel like I could have done better and maybe even scored a podium.” With that mindset, she pushed harder in Gürgl and aimed for a top finish.
Ljutic held off 15 athletes before Sarah Hector of Sweden came through the finish, bumping her out of the leader’s chair. She achieved 8th place.
Giorgia Collomb of Italy kicked out of her 3rd World Cup start and was the highest bib number to make it into the second run. Despite being a newcomer to the circuit, her skiing showcased remarkable confidence and skill. She demonstrated a fearless approach, pushing her limits with impressive technique. Regrettably, she was ejected from the course at the second-to-last gate, causing her to be disqualified after crossing the finish sliding on her side.
Related Article: Gürgl Kickoff: Mikaela Shiffrin Tops With Solid Run, Wendy Holdener Not Far Behind
Top 30 Results
Analysis of the Top Three
Analysis of the Top North Americans
About the Author: Ellie Hartman
