Mikaela Shiffrin GEPA photos

Get ready for an exhilarating Women’s World Cup GS in Jasná, Slovakia, this Saturday, January 20th. The event holds special significance as it is the home World Cup for Slovakian sensation Petra Vlhová.

Vlhová, currently 5th in the 2024 World Cup giant slalom standings, eyes a comeback, trailing leader Federica Brignone by 163 points. Despite not securing a giant slalom win this season, Vlhová boasts three slalom victories.

The Women’s GS is a highly competitive discipline; there were four winners in six completed races this season. Lara Gut-Behrami clinched the initial two, now ranking 2nd, 15 points behind Brignone. Brignone, the oldest woman to win a World Cup GS, triumphed twice in Tremblant, Canada.

Stifel US Ski Team’s megastar, Mikaela Shiffrin, the winningest World Cup skier in history, triumphed in Lienz, Austria, currently ranking 3rd, trailing Brignone by 111 GS points. The most recent GS contested was in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, and for the second season in a row, it was won by Canadian Valérie Grenier. Her season’s efforts have earned her 4th in the GS standings, 157 points behind Brignone.

With five races remaining, including Jasna, the competition intensifies. The season title is up for grabs, and racers have ample opportunity to make their bid for glory.

In the most recent World Cup GS contested in Jasná, which took place in the Covid-affected season in March 2021, Petra Vlhová emerged triumphant, securing the top spot on the podium. New Zealand’s Alice Robinson claimed the second position in the competition, while Mikaela Shiffrin achieved the third-place finish. The event showcased remarkable performances, marking a memorable return to Jasná for World Cup GS.

These are 69 women representing 19 nations competing in the Jasná GS on Saturday, January 20th.

Top-ranked 2024 World Cup giant slalom women

Additional North American success

Let’s also delve into the impressive GS performances of these four remarkable North American women.

Stifel US Ski Team’s Paula Moltzan has earned a solid 13th rank and has consistently showcased her prowess in the GS discipline. Moltzan’s skillful navigation through the challenging courses positions her as a strong contender, ready to earn her first GS podium in the upcoming race.

A notable standout is AJ Hurt, also from the Stifel US Ski Team, who has accumulated a career-best 78 GS points, propelling her to the 19th rank. The 23-year-old skier is on the cusp of a historic achievement — a likely qualification for the World Cup finals in Saalbach, Austria. If she maintains this impressive form, it will mark AJ Hurt’s first invitation to the finals, a testament to her growing prowess on the international stage.

Turning our attention to the Canadian duo, Britt Richardson emerges as a rising star, currently holding the 24th rank. Richardson’s consistent performances position her favorably for a shot at the coveted finals. On the other hand, Cassidy Gray, ranked 38th, is poised for a potential breakthrough. With strong results in the final five races, Gray could skillfully ski her way into a World Cup finals invitation, adding an element of excitement to her promising career. As these athletes carve their turns in the races, the anticipation builds for their continued success in the Women’s World Cup GS.

Stay tuned for a thrilling showdown as these athletes vie for victory on the challenging slopes of Jasna. Ten of those women are from Austria.

North Americans competing in the Saturday, January 19th Jasna Slovakia, 2024 World Cup GS

• Bib 5, Valérie Grenier, ACA, Club de Ski Mont Tremblant, Rossignol/LOOK, Level Gloves
• Bib 7, Mikaela Shiffrin, Stifel USST, Burke Mountain Academy, Atomic, Oakley
• Bib 11, Paula Moltzan, Stifel USST, University of Vermont Ski and Snowboard Club, Vail, Rossignol/LOOK, Level Gloves, Oakley
• Bib 23, AJ Hurt, Stifel Stifel, Team Palisades Tahoe, HEAD, Level Gloves
• Bib 28, Britt Richardson, ACA, Calgary Alpine Racing Club, Dynastar, Lange, LOOK, Oakley, Level Gloves
• Bib 37, Cassidy Gray, ACA, Team Panorama, Atomic, Level Gloves
• Bib 48, Mary Bocock, Stifel USST, Dartmouth College, Rowmark Ski Academy, Rossignol,/LOOK, Level Gloves
• Bib 56, Elisabeth Bocock, Stifel USST, Rowmark Ski Academy, Rossignol/LOOK, Level Gloves
• Bib 63, Sarah Bennett, ACA, Club de ski Stoneham, Québec Ski Team, Rossignol, LOOK, Level Gloves

North Americans with 2024 giant slalom World Cup points

About Jasná, Slovakia

Embark on a journey through the history of Jasná, a traditional ski resort with a storied past. In the late ’70s, the slopes of Jasná witnessed the remarkable feats of the Swedish legend, The legacy continued as World Cup competitions graced Jasná three times. From 1979 to 1982, athletes vied for supremacy in the Grand Prix of caves for men, and in 1984, women added their prowess to this alpine theater.

The pinnacle arrived in February 2014 when Jasná hosted the Junior World Championships, showcasing world-class talent on the slopes of Chopok. As Jasná embraced the beginning of a new era, a dream was nurtured — a dream that the World Cup would return to this hallowed ground. Today, that dream transforms into reality as the World Cup unfolds in the very heart of Jasná, marking another chapter in its storied history.

When and how to watch the Jasná GS

The women’s first GS run will begin at 3:30 am Eastern Time, 12:30 am Pacific Time and 9:30 Central European Time. The second run will start at 7:00 am Eastern Time, 4:00 am Pacific Time and 1:00 pm Central European Time.

In the United States watch the live stream and replays on Ski and Snowboard Live.

In Canada watch the live stream and replays on CBC Sports

Start list and program for the Saturday, January 20th Jasná GS

Click on Start List and Progam to download

Program for the Saturday, January 20th Jasná GS