Featured Image: Mikaela Shiffrin. Credit: Heather Black
The final slalom showdown took off in front of a crowd that shook the mountain of Sun Valley Resort. The athletes could hear the roars and cowbells from the start, which intensified the last event of the Stifel FIS World Cup Finals.
The second run course had several rhythm changes, which had the athletes on their toes, looking ahead from top to bottom.
Mikaela Shiffrin from the Stifel US Ski Team remained composed despite the excitement of the home crowd. It fueled the US star, and she continued to only gear up from start to finish.
Crossing the finish line, she celebrated her fourth slalom victory of the season, marked her milestone of over 100 World Cup wins (101), and secured enough points to conclude a season of ebbs and flows as the 4th athlete in the World Cup slalom standings.
Shiffrin stated, “It is super meaningful to have this strong performance today.”
“I really skied my best, the best I could possibly do, especially with these conditions, which are normally quite a challenge. Ending the season with this level of skiing gives me a lot of energy going into preparation time,” she explained.
Karin Harjo, Shiffrin’s Head Coach stated, “We all just went ‘wow.’ It is something we have been working really hard on in training, specifically seaking out ruts and grooves in challenging conditions, so she can ski with that confidence and with the ability that she has and take on the speed she knows she can generate.”
Harjo continued, “It couldn’t be better. It is dream, more for her because of all of the hard work she puts in day in and day out. All of us are so proud of her.”
Zrinka Ljutić Becomes the Slalom Globe Winner
Ljutić executed the course with aggression but finished the day in 10th place. She stood at the finish, holding her breath as the other athletes came down who had the potential to take the slalom globe from her.
Since the other three women did not achieve a top 3 finish or victory, Lujtić was able to secure her first World Cup globe.
Lujtić stated, “Oh, it feels amazing. I still haven’t processed it fully, I would say. But it was like everything I worked for in my life. I made it sort of today, so I am really happy”
She alluded to her feelings before the second run, “I never felt so nervous. This will be a good experience moving forward, I feel like I gained better perspective and gained some tools that I can take for the Olympics next year and in the future.”
Talking about Mikaela Shiffrin, Ljutić stated, “She is one of a kind. Her skiing is out of this world and she has been so constant. Also, coming back from this injury, this was a masterpiece. I have a lot to work on coming into the next season.”
Liensberger and Rast Finish 1 and 2 for the Season
Katharina Liensberger was in 4th, just two-tenths off the podium heading into the second run. She unveiled determined skiing from the beginning to the end.
Liensberger needed to achieve a podium finish to conclude the season as the globe winner. Although she did not finish in the top 3, she achieved 2nd for the season in the slalom World Cup standings.
Camille Rast of Switzerland finished the first run behind Zrinka Ljutiċ. She headed into the final slalom run in 14th, over a second behind a podium spot. She needed to throw down a huge run to make up the time needed to earn the discipline globe.
Rast came out of the gate charging and skied the middle section smartly but did not let go enough at the bottom to achieve the top 5. She still finished in 3rd in the World Cup standings, which is the top ranking she has achieved in any season she has competed.
Swiss athlete Wendy Holdener, came into the slalom today in 4th place in the standings. After the first run she raced into 3rd place and needed to throw down a winning run to possibly take the globe from Zrinka Ljutić. After a solid two-run performance, she finished in 4th place and 6th in the standings.
An Exciting Podium Finish in Sun Valley
Lena Dürr of Germany finished in 2nd place, and Andreja Slokar of Slovenia finished the day in 3rd, just one-hundredth apart.
For Dürr, this marks her 16th World Cup podium in the discipline and her 4th this season. She finishes the season fifth in the rankings.
Slokar achieved her second slalom World Cup podium and her first of the season with a blazing second run. She concludes the season 12th in the slalom rankings.
Paula Moltzan Fights Through Pain to Move Up
Paula Moltzan of the Stifel US Ski Team ignited out of the start and found the lead through the top section. As she entered the turnier mid-section, she skied smart but did lose some time. However, she picked back up her pace and concluded with solid skiing.
The US athlete finished the day in 6th place and concluded the season 11th in the standings.
Moltzan explained, “Today I was fighting a lot of demons. I was in a lot of pain and hurt my ankle when I crashed, so it was mind-over-matter.”
“It’s been one for the books. I have the most points I’ve ever scored in World Cup, and that feels pretty good. I’ve had quite the roller coaster, with some highs and lows, but I am proud of me and the team, and we are excited to see what next year brings,” she stated.
Alpine Canada Alpin Athletes
Laurence St-Germain was the first North American out of the start in the second run. The Alpine Canada Alpin athlete was not too stoked with her first run but was ready to put it all out on the line in the second run.
She skied tactically smart through the challenging sections of the course but fell behind the pace in the final gates of the track. She finished the day in 20th place.
Her teammate Ali Nullmeyer followed right after her on the course, tackling each section with the goal of breaking into the top 15. With determination, she gained time on the racers who went before her. Ultimately, she finished in 9th place, securing valuable World Cup points.
Top 3 Results
Final Results
Top 5 Slalom World Cup Standings
North Americans Results
About the Author: Ellie Hartman
