Who is skiing, when and how to watch the Semmering giant slalom

Tomorrow, December 27^th, the women of the Alpine World Cup will resume racing in Semmering, Austria.

After a quality Christmas training block, Mikaela Shiffrin, the only US athlete to stand on a World Cup podium this season, will return to action. Her relentless determination to improve is impressive. That’s probably why she has won four overall titles. 

The Semmering area has received little natural snowfall this season, so the surface is entirely manmade. Tomorrow’s race will be warm. There is also a good chance that the base area overnight lows will remain above freezing. The snow will require expert preparation, probably using water and salt to create a suitable race surface. Expect the conditions to play a role in the outcome and the best to be well-tested on the second run.

Although the names at the top of the giant slalom standings are no surprise, women’s 2022-23 GS is very competitive. It is easy to guess the potential winners, but that group is large. It will no doubt come down to which athlete and which skis handle the situation the best. 

The current leader of the 2022-23 season giant slalom standings is Italy’s Marta Bassino, followed by Sweden’s Sara Hector and Switzerland’s Lara Gut-Behrami.

North Americans racing on December 27th

Eight women will represent North America. Canada has two entries, and the USA has six. Unfortunately, AJ Hurt, one of America’s best, was injured at a Europa Cup slalom in Valle Aurina / Ahrntal on December 17th and will likely miss the remainder of the season. Also, 2021-22 NorAm GS title holder Allie Resnick is not entered. However, Resnick continues to show progress following her injury in New Zealand this summer. 

Notably, the second run with be set by USA’s Head Women’s Technical Coach Magnus Andersson. When setting the course, he will certainly have the best interest of the USA’s second-run qualifiers in mind. Unfortunately, often, when conditions are warm, the course is only a redress with minimal change. 

The eight women who will race are all capable of World Cup success. Five of them have already scored GS points this season. Valérie Grenier was 12th in Sestriere, and Paula Moltzan was 8th. Additionally, Shiffrin was 13th in Killington and 6th in Sestriere and leads the World Cup overall by 105 points. 

North Americans on the December 27th Semmering GS start list

• Bib 1, Mikaela Shiffrin, USST, Burke Mountain Academy, Atomic, Oakley
• Bib 8, Valerie Grenier, ACA, Club de Ski Mont Tremblant, Rossignol/LOOK
• Bib 18, Paula Moltzan, USST, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, Rossignol/LOOK
• Bib 30, Nina O’Brien, USST, Burke Mountain Academy, Rossignol/LOOK
• Bib 35, Britt Richardson, ACA, Calgary Alpine Racing Club, Dynastar, Lange, Look, Oakley, Swix
• Bib 58, Katie Hensien, USST, University of Denver, Rowmark Ski Academy, Rossignol/LOOK
• Bib 61, Ava Sunshine, USST, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, Atomic, Swix, ASP
• Bib 65, Stella Johansson, Independent, Aspen Valley Ski, and Snowboard Club. Atomic

The women’s first run starts at 4:0o am Eastern Time and 1:00 am on the West Coast. Additionally, the second run will begin at 7:00 am Eastern Time and 4:00 am on the West Coast. We remind you a full replay is available after the race.

In the USA, the women’s World Cups in Semmering and other Austrian sites are available on Peacock.

First run start list and program for the Dec. 27th Semmering GS

Program for December 17th World Cup Semmering GS