Shiffrin has first run lead in Semmering night slalom

Shiffrin first run Semmering night slalom: GEPA photos

Mikaela Shiffrin’s Semmering skiing is issuing a clear statement. She is confident, and if she doesn’t make a mistake, the others will have to raise their game to defeat her. The World Cup overall leader started 6th and made it clear she is the one to beat. Although the hill’s surface is imperfect, Shiffrin skied with the balance and precision that only comes from confident timing. 

Shiffrin will take a 0.72 seconds advantage over Sweden’s Anna Swenn-Larsson into the final run of the Semmering series. It is exciting to see USA’s Paula Moltzan sitting in 3rd, only 0.07 behind the Swede and 0.01 ahead of the very talented German Lena Duerr. Moltzan, for the first time this season, has put herself in a great spot to earn her first podium. 

Petra Vlhova has been both hot and cold this season and today, one of the world’s best finds herself 5th, a little over a second out after the first run. This season’s two-time slalom winner Wendy Holdener of Switzerland sits in 5th. 

Canada’s Ali Nullmeyer, who started the run with bib 14, delivered a great first run and sits in 8th. The other Canadian to qualify is a University of Denver graduate, Amelia Smart, 2.47 seconds behind Shiffrin in 18th. 

Hensien continues to show she belongs

One of the most significant moves of the day came from another DU Pioneer, the USA’s emerging athlete Katie Hensien. Hensien started with bib 47, attacked the course like she belonged, and found out she did. Hensien finished the first run by saying hello to her parents to the camera; she is in 29th and will start second in the final run. 

However exciting the second run is, the climax won’t come until Shiffrin leaves the start last to race. If she wins three races in the same series, it will be accomplishing the impossible, almost. 

Six women with bibs higher than 30 could qualify for the second run. Austria’s Lisa Hoerhager was the last to start and make it into the final run. Hoerhager started 55^th. 

Analysis of top 3 and other qualified North Americans and top 30 first-run results

Top 30 first-run results Semmering night slalom December 29th