Levi Slalom Showdown: Vlhova wins Opening Run, Shiffrin Charges

Nov 11, 2023

Vlhova first run Levi GEPA pictures/Harald Steiner

The slalom women of the FIS Alpine World Cup experienced perfect weather and snow surface for their first run of the 2023-24 season. The women offered a fantastic display of power and speed using the ideal conditions. After the conclusion of the morning run, there were no surprises at the top of the leaderboard. Five-time Levi winner Petra Vlhova, SVK, leads the field by (-0.18) over Germany’s star Lena Duerr. Stifel US Ski Team mega star Mikaela Shiffrin didn’t let the training injury experienced over a week ago get in her way. Shiffrin is only (+0.42) behind the Slovakian leader.

Almost predictably, the rest of the field is over a second behind the best time. Austria’s Katharina Liensberger, bib 21, finished the morning with the fourth-best time (+1.02). However, she was not alone among the higher bibs to earn their way into the top ten. Bib 29, Katharina Huber (AUT), bib 25, Maria Therese Tviberg (NOR), bib 27, Katharina Gallhuber (AUT), and bib 30, Melanie Meillard (SUI) all skied with athletic determination to be among the morning elite.

“I feel quite happy with my first run,” said Shiffrin, adding the training accident did not affect her in the race.

“It’s not perfect, but it’s not holding me back from skiing strong,” she said. “Last week, we did an excellent job to push into a kind of training in the gym, trying different things, different loading. By Thursday, I could do a full-intensity training session.”

North Americans

Shiffrin’s teammate Paula Moltzan ended the morning in 12th (+1.96). Unfortunately, Canadian reigning World Champion Laurence St-Germain finished well off the pace and missed qualifying for the second run. However, St-Germain’s teammates Ali Nullmeyer, 20th, and Amelia Smart, 25th, earned second runs.

USA’s AJ Hurt, wearing bib 70, skied very well and threatened to finish well within the qualifying time. She crossed the line in 24th but straddled on her trip to the finish as she was disqualified.

Unfortunately, Levi’s other North American athletes competing could not produce a time fast enough to qualify. However, Canada and the US can celebrate their World Cup rookies, Dasha Romanov (USA) and Justine Lamontagne (CAN), who crossed the finish line smiling in their inaugural races on the world stage.

Colturi is back

Albania’s rising star, Italian-born Lara Colturi, returning from serious injury, was the highest bib to qualify for the afternoon. Skiing with start number 65, Colturi delivered the 27th-best time. Running early in the afternoon finale, she has the opportunity to have a fantastic day. Six women qualified with start numbers above thirty.

Shiffrin had said in her Sölden press conference that she was expecting to build into the season, but the world is on notice if this is the beginning of a building season.

As the morning run concluded with a spectacular showcase of skill and determination, the FIS Alpine World Cup’s slalom women set the stage for an exciting season.

The fastest 30 after the first run and analysis of fastest three and qualified North Americans

Analysis of the top three and qualified North Americans

About the Author: Peter Lange

Lange is the current Publisher of Ski Racing Media. However, over 38 seasons, he enjoyed coaching athletes of all ages and abilities. Lange’s experience includes leading Team America and working with National Team athletes from the United States, Norway, Austria, Australia, and Great Britain. He was the US Ski Team Head University Coach for the two seasons the program existed. Lange says, “In the end, the real value of this sport is the relationships you make, they are priceless.”

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