GEPA pictures/ Mathias Mandl

The veteran Swede Anna Swenn Larson skied with confidence, attacking the steep long pitch and delivered the fastest time of the morning. Using a similar approach, the second-fastest time was delivered by Stiflel US Ski Team member Paula Moltzan (+0.14). The only other skier within a half second of Swenn Larson is Croatian Zrinka Ljutic (+0.42). These three women did the best job with the problematic timing required by the course.

However, there are eight women within a second of the leader, and on a course this length, they will all have an excellent opportunity to earn a podium if they can deliver an exceptional second run. And without the only two slalom winners of the season, Mikaela Shiffrin and Petra Vlhová, in the field, the winner will have earned her first slalom victory of the season.

North Americans

Four North American women could finish the first run among the fastest 15. And two of them are among the four fastest. Moltzan is joined by Canadian Ali Nullmeyer, 4th (+0.62), reigning World Champion, Canadian Laurence St-Germain 11th (+1.25), and Stifel US Ski Team’s AJ Hurt, 13th (+1.57).

Moltzan and Nullmeyer could easily earn a podium if they deliver their best skiing and with some luck and a great run, the other two North American women have an outside chance.

The top of the slope is mild, but the pitch is both steep and long. However, the course set by Stifel US Ski Team’s Magnus Andersson controlled the speed and the skiers who could execute the timing were rewarded. Only three women among the first thirty to race could not finish the morning run. However, on the problematic Soldeu slope, that number ballooned among the later starters with less skill.

Late starters success

Today, six skiers with start numbers above thirty could qualify for the finale. The fastest was bib 32, Italy’s Marta Rossetti 19th (+1,89). The last one to do so was bib 48 Italy’s Vera Tschurtschenthaler 29th (+2.64).

In the thrilling Soldeu slalom race, veteran Anna Swenn Larson of Sweden was fastest during the first run, blazing through the challenging course with confidence. However, with contenders like Paula Moltzan and Zrinka Ljutic hot on her heels, the race is far from over.

With eight women within a second of the leader, the second run promises intense competition, offering many racers a shot at the podium. With the absence of slalom titans Mikaela Shiffrin and Petra Vlhová, the battle for victory remains wide open. As late starters defy the odds and secure spots in the final, anticipation builds for an electrifying conclusion to the Soldeu slalom showdown.

Top 30 first-run results and analysis of the fastest three and other top 30 North Americans

Analysis of the fastest three and other top 30 North Americans