A Perfect Night for Ski Racing in Flachau
On a perfect night for ski racing in Flachau, Austria, all eyes were on Croatia’s 20-year-old Zrinka Ljutić, the pre-race favorite. While the discipline was missing its two biggest stars, Mikaela Shiffrin of the Stifel U.S. Ski Team and Slovakia’s Petra Vlhová, the talent in the night slalom field ensured no shortage of excitement. Under the brilliant lights and in ideal conditions, the race promised thrilling action—and it delivered.
Elite Group Sets the Pace
The women wearing bibs 1–7 represented an elite group, earning their start positions through consistent excellence. Leading the slalom tour and donning the red bib was Ljutić. A night race in Austria is always a spectacle, and the passionate crowd was ready to cheer loudly. After the elite group completed their first runs, Austria’s star Katharina Liensberger led the standings, ahead of Swiss veteran Wendy Holdener and Sweden’s Sara Hector. Only Holdener and Hector were within a second, and no one came within half a second of Liensberger’s brilliant run.
Tour Leader Ljutić Struggles
The night’s shock came with the struggles of tour leader Ljutić. After a costly mistake, the red bib crossed the line 3.70 seconds behind Liensberger and ultimately did not qualify. The loudest cheers erupted for Liensberger. Prepared for the moment, the home nation hero delivered a strong run and crossed the finish line 0.75 seconds faster than Holdener, sending the crowd into a frenzy before they broke into song.
Middle Bibs Fight to Stay Competitive
The group starting with bibs 8–15 was undoubtedly capable of earning a spot on the podium, and often, they do. However, only Swiss racer Mélanie Meillard, finishing 1.15 seconds behind the leader, cracked the top five. The first Stifel U.S. Ski Team member to attack the course was Paula Moltzan, running with bib 15. Moltzan didn’t have the speed to challenge the leaders but skied well enough to cross the line in eighth place, eventually ending the run in ninth, 1.65 seconds behind Liensberger.
Canadian World Champion Pushes Through
The first Canadian to ski was reigning world champion Laurence St-Germain. After missing the last race in Kranjska Gora due to back issues, she showed no hesitation in skiing fast. Although she was just 0.01 seconds behind through the second timing sector, she could not maintain that momentum and crossed the line one spot behind Moltzan, finishing tenth.
Emma Aicher Impresses the Crowd
Significant talent remained on the start list, and Germany’s 21-year-old Emma Aicher always attracts attention. The young German all-arounder skied powerfully with bib 22, crossing the finish line in sixth place. Her performance earned the admiration of the Austrian crowd.
Hurt and Smart Make the Cut
After Moltzan, the next Stifel U.S. Ski Team member to ski was AJ Hurt, wearing bib 28. Having missed all the early-season races, Hurt has recently shown flashes of brilliance. She earned a World Cup slalom podium last season in Kranjska Gora and possesses the speed to contend in any race she enters. Although she skied well today, she lacked the speed to move significantly up the standings. Hurt qualified for the second run, finishing 2.69 seconds behind Liensberger in 20th place.
Immediately after Hurt, Alpine Canada Alpin’s Amelia Smart took to the course. While this particular slope does not favor her—her best career finish in Flachau is 17th—Smart delivered a solid run. She crossed the line 3.31 seconds behind Liensberger, securing a spot in the second run, qualifying 29th.
Higher Bibs Step Up
Once the first 30 racers had completed their runs, three had failed to finish, and one had been disqualified. With a few others struggling to finish without big mistakes, including Ljutić, there was ample opportunity for higher bibs to qualify. One racer who took advantage was the Stifel U.S. Ski Team’s Nina O’Brien. She delivered solid slalom skiing throughout the course, crossing the finish line 2.80 seconds back. O’Brien finished 21st, just behind her teammate Hurt.
Ultimately, seven skiers with bibs above 30 qualified for the second run. The fastest was Italy’s Marta Rossetti, wearing bib 31, who finished 2.47 seconds back in 15th place. Japan’s Asa Ando, racing with bib 60, was the final skier with a bib above 30 to qualify. Ando crossed the line 3.07 seconds behind Liensberger, securing 26th place. Her huge smile and joyful scream earned the enthusiastic approval of the Austrian fans. The time spread between the fastest and the 30th was 3.39 seconds.
Exciting Second Run Awaits
The first run set the stage for an exhilarating second run under the lights in Flachau. With Katharina Liensberger leading and local fans cheering her on, the competition promises to deliver more dramatic moments. The reverse start order will bring plenty of lead changes, keeping the crowd and viewers on edge until the very last skier crosses the line.
Top 30 first run results and analysis of the fastest three and North American Qualifiers
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Analysis of the fastest three and qualified North Americans.
About the Author: Peter Lange
