Sölden: Brignone Leads Fierce Competition, Shiffrin in 5th

Oct 28, 2023

Mikaela Shiffrin first run Sölden GEPA pictures/Matic Klansek

In Sölden, people have forgotten the 2022 weather cancellation. Today, sunny skies greeted the racers. The women appeared well prepared after the first group of seven had finished their first runs. Only (+1.19) separated the group. Mikaela Shiffrin said earlier this week she would let the season build through the early part of the year, sitting 5th, just (+0.75). Notably, Swedish star Sara Hector, 2nd, trails leader Federica Brignone by (-0.50), showcasing Brignone’s stellar first run.

SOELDEN,AUSTRIA,28.OCT.23 – ALPINE SKIING – FIS World Cup season opening, Rettenbachferner, Federica Brignone (ITA). Photo: GEPA pictures/ Wolfgang Grebien

Canadian Valerie Grenier, last season’s winner from Kranjska Gora, finished the run in 9th place (+1.42). Only (+1.61) separates the top 10. However, when considering the leader Brignone’s advantage, the following nine are only separated by (+1.11). It is anyone’s race. Eight countries are represented among the fastest ten women. The Sölden Rettenbach race course expected significant separation when the first 30 participants completed the morning test. French skier, bib 43, Clara Direz, 30th, will start 1st on the second run with a (+3.57) deficit to Brignone.

Unfortunately, emerging Stifel US Ski Team star, bib 8 Paula Moltzan struggled and finished her first competitive run of the season 28th (+3.35). However, she qualified for the second run and will start 3rd, providing an excellent opportunity to move up the leaderboard. The additional North American who will join Shiffrin, Grenier and Moltzan is 20-year-old Canadian Britt Richardson, who finished the morning in 23rd place (+3.03)

The challenging Sölden course was too much for the rest of the North American women. Stifel US Ski Team members AJ Hurt, Stella Johansson, Mary Bocock and her sister Elisabeth did not qualify for the afternoon run. Also, the Canadians Cassidy Gray and Sarah Bennett could not finish among the fastest 30.

Conditions were difficult; grooves and holes in the snow made it difficult for the later runners, and we did not see any big surprises. Six women with start bibs above 30 qualified for the second run. However, the best was downhill superstar, bib 32, Sofia Goggia (ITA), who finished (+2.80) in 20th.

First Run top 30

Click on images to enlarge

Analysis of the top 3 and top 30 North Americans

About the Author: Peter Lange

Lange is the current Publisher of Ski Racing Media. However, over 38 seasons, he enjoyed coaching athletes of all ages and abilities. Lange’s experience includes leading Team America and working with National Team athletes from the United States, Norway, Austria, Australia, and Great Britain. He was the US Ski Team Head University Coach for the two seasons the program existed. Lange says, “In the end, the real value of this sport is the relationships you make, they are priceless.”

Related Post