Shiffrin dominates the first run of the Åre GS

Mikaela Shiffrin Åre GS: GEPA Photos

Kranjska Gora winner Canadian Valerie Grenier goes into the final run in second place.

ARE, Sweden – Mikaela Shiffrin is skiing with a clarity few ever achieve. After the first run of the Åre GS, she has a commanding (+0.58) lead over bib 15 Canada’s Valerie Grenier. Finishing the first run third is bib 16 Austria’s Franziska Gritsch (+0.93)

In the home country of Ingemar Stenmark, Shiffrin is now half a race away from matching his career 86 World Cup win record.

The women skied well on a perfect surface. The watered snow was cold and had frozen hard. A fair opportunity was available for the entire field.

Shiffrin skied at a performance level significantly higher than the rest of the women. In her best GS season yet, Shiffrin is executing her timing and rhythm at an unmatchable level. Her efficiency is a competitive weapon. It is also evident that she has managed her season well, allowing her to ski with tremendous power throughout the season.

Out of concern for the accumulated season fatigue, the FIS has shortened the length of the Åre GS course. Consequently, the athletes had significant energy at the bottom of the course.

Stifel US Alpine Team member Nina O’Brien continues to impress. O’Brien struggled early in the season to find her pre-injury speed, but it is back. Skiing with bib 25, she finished the first run in 15th. She is currently ranked 27th in the season GS standings and needs a good race to qualify for the World Cup finals. American Paula Moltzan skied well in her first race following hand surgery and is tied for 18th.

Six women starting after the first 30 could qualify for the final run. Bib 43 Italy’s Roberta Melesi was the last to do so. The time differential among the fastest thirty was (+2.91).

First run top 30 results and analysis of the fastest 30 and top 30 North Americans

Analysis of the fastest three and top 30 North Americans