Zrinka Ljutic: GEPA pictures
Thrilling Finish as Ljutic Claims Back-to-Back Wins
Meillard Sets the Bar
With only the fastest five from the first run remaining, Switzerland’s Melanie Meillard led the field, followed by Sweden’s Sara Hector in second and Slovenia’s Andreja Slokar in third.
Swenn Larsson Takes the Lead
The drama continued with German first run surprise Emma Aicher, who was first of the final five to ski but failed to finish the course. Next up, Sweden’s top slalom skier, Anna Swenn Larsson, delivered a brilliant, aggressive run to take the lead with three racers left. With just one of the remaining skiers needing to fall in the standings behind her, Swenn Larsson was within reach of her second podium of the season.
Rast Secures a Podium for Swenn Larsson
Switzerland’s World Cup slalom tour leader, Camille Rast, followed and delivered a solid performance, crossing into second and guaranteeing Swenn Larsson a spot on the podium.
“I feel in good shape, and of course, a podium is amazing,” said Swenn Larsson after finishing third in Kranjska Gora. “I’m super happy, but I still feel I have so much more that I want to get out there.”
Holdener’s Brilliant Run
Then came Swiss veteran Wendy Holdener, who skied brilliantly to seize the lead by an impressive 1.03 seconds.
“I’m satisfied,” said Holdener after her impressive second-place finish. “I attacked, I gave everything. It’s an amazing fight. It was difficult, but I like it that way, and the course setting suited me perfectly.”
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Ljutic Clinches the Win
The final racer, Croatia’s Zrinka Ljutic, faced immense pressure but displayed nerves of steel. Fresh off her victory in Semmering, the young 20-year-old Croatian delivered a stunning run, edging out Holdener by just 0.16 seconds to secure her second consecutive World Cup slalom win. It was a world-class performance, capping a thrilling race and cementing Ljutic’s status as one of the sport’s brightest stars and taking the lead in the slalom standings from Rast.
“I’m speechless,” said Ljutic after her historic win in Kranjska Gora, the first-ever for a Croatian. “I felt good and was trying to push everywhere. At the finish, I just hoped it would be enough—and it was. Especially now after this nice result in Semmering (her win last Sunday), I had a big appetite,” Ljutic added. “I obviously wanted to repeat it, and I felt, in some sense, powerful and dominant. I want to thank everyone who came to cheer, including the Slovakian fans. Your support means everything.”
Swiss Depth Shines
Holdener was joined by her Swiss teammates, Camille Rast and Melanie Meillard, among the fastest five, showcasing Switzerland’s remarkable depth.
The Podium Delivers Excellence
The first slalom podium of 2025 delivered no surprises: Ljutic claimed her second consecutive victory, Holdener secured her second podium of the season, and Swenn Larsson earned her second podium finish of the season.
Liensberger Leads Early, Hensien In Second
After the first ten racers completed their second runs, Austria’s Katharina Liensberger took control with a 0.32-second lead over Stifel U.S. Ski Team’s Katie Hensien, who had temporarily held the top spot. By the halfway mark, Liensberger maintained her lead, with teammate Katharina Huber just 0.23 seconds back in second. Hensien remained in third, delivering a strong showing in her first second-run appearance of the season.
Moltzan Struggles to Climb the Leaderboard
Next to challenge the leaderboard was Hensien’s teammate, Paula Moltzan, the 16th skier to take the course. Despite her efforts, Moltzan couldn’t find the speed needed to gain ground. Crossing the finish line, she settled into 9th place with 14 skiers still to come. As the competition intensified, Moltzan finished in 20th place.
Liensberger Holds Until Slokar Delights the Home Crowd
As the 20th skier, AJ Hurt of the Stifel U.S. Ski Team, who skied fast, could not finish her second run, ten competitors remained. The leaderboard stayed unchanged, with Austria’s Liensberger leading, followed by teammate Huber and Hensien in third.
Liensberger held firm as the next racer faltered, but France’s Marie Lamure broke through the current top three, moving into second place with eight skiers left. The lead finally changed hands when Slovenian home-country favorite Andreja Slokar delivered a thrilling run. Crossing the finish in first, Slokar sent the crowd into a frenzy, celebrating her remarkable performance with unbridled enthusiasm.
Hensien Delivers Career-Best Slalom Finish
Katie Hensien qualified for her first second-run slalom appearance of the season and was the fifth skier to tackle the afternoon course. Taking full advantage of favorable conditions, she skied aggressively and maximized her opportunity to improve her standing. Crossing the finish line with the fastest combined time at that point, Hensien began her climb up the leaderboard. By the end of the race, she had moved up 14 positions to achieve a career-best slalom result, finishing 12th and making a significant stride in her season.
“Today felt really good,” said Katie Hensien after her career-best slalom result. “I’ve been showing fast skiing all season, and it’s great to finally put two strong runs together. This result gives me the confidence to know that the speed has always been there, even after a tough start (to the season). I’m excited to keep building on this and see what’s next.”
A Race to Remember
The Kranjska Gora slalom delivered all the elements that make the format so thrilling—lead changes, standout performances, and a dramatic finish. Ljutic’s composure under pressure secured her second consecutive win, while Holdener and Swenn Larsson added to their impressive seasons. Switzerland’s dominance, with three skiers among the fastest five, and Katie Hensien’s career-best finish for the Stifel U.S. Ski Team, further highlighted the depth and excitement of this unforgettable race.
Race Results
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About the Author: Peter Lange
