Featured Image: Image shows the rejoicing of Lara Gut Behrami (SUI), Valerie Grenier (CAN) and Federica Brignone (ITA). Photo: GEPA pictures/ Wolfgang Grebien

Despite the less-than-ideal weather conditions, the women showcased their unwavering determination and fierce spirit as they competed in the Kranjska Gora giant slalom World Cup. Valérie Grenier became the Golden Fox by earning her second World Cup victory! Both of her World Cup victories have been on this hill. 

Grenier crushed the direct line and delivered confidence throughout the course. From panel to panel, she was attacking. She came through the finish line with a substantial lead, -1.18 ahead of the field. 

At the beginning of the day, Grenier stated, “In a way, it is more pressure because I know that I can do well here. I know it is a good hill for me, so I want to do that again. But, I am trying not to think about that too much and I just want to take my confidence and see how it goes.” 

She executed the day immaculately. “This is definitely my favorite slope,” stated Grenier. 

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Petra Vlhová of Slovakia won the first run but lost speed on the second run, costing her the victory. On the second run, Vlhová skied a wider line and a little more tentatively than Lara Gut-Behrami and Federica Brignone, who rounded out the podium. 

This was Federica Brignone’s (ITA) fifth podium finish in giant slalom this season. Brignone is on fire and will remain the World Cup title leader in giant slalom as we reach the halfway point of the GS season. 

The close competition in the first run amplified the nail-biting intensity of the second run. This time, the course was set straighter through the midsection, allowing the women to tuck and find a direct line confidently.

The race was highly competitive before the top 15 athletes descended the course. As the course began to deteriorate, the women had to fiercely battle to maintain their positions on the leaderboard.

Mikaela Shiffrin typically faces challenges on softer snow and direct courses, so the second run did not work in her favor. Although she performed well in the upper section and maintained the lead in the first two sections, she approached the bottom section more cautiously than the athletes ahead of her, placing her in 9th. 

Shiffrin stated, “I am super excited for Valérie. She skied so well and totally capitalized on the day, and being able to repeat victory after last year was really cool. It’s cool to see that.”

North Americans

The first North American to compete in the second run was Alpine Canada Alpin athlete Cassidy Gray. Gray ignited from the start and was quick through the transition of the first few gates. Unfortunately, her enthusiasm got the better of her as she applied excessive pressure on her ski, causing it to fail her on the soft snow conditions. She was quick to get up and head down to the bottom. 

Stifel US Ski Team athlete AJ Hurt fearlessly charged out of the gate, determined to maintain a swift and direct tempo throughout the course. Although she encountered a slight delay towards the end, resulting in a minor loss of speed, she finished just 27 hundredths of a second behind Stephanie Brunner, who was sitting in the leader’s chair. This earned her an 18th-place result. 

Britt Richardson of Canada ended the day +0.14 behind Hurt. This was Richardson’s third top-20 result in a GS World Cup.

Unfortunately, Moltzan put too much pressure on her ski, which ejected her out of the top of the course. She recovered gracefully and could remain on two feet but could not finish her run.

Overall, the women fought through the harsh conditions to achieve another exhilarating day of giant slalom World Cup Racing. The women will take on the slalom tomorrow. 1st run begins at 9:30 CET and 2nd run is at 12:30 CET.

Kranjska Gora Women’s GS Results and Analysis of the Fastest Three and the North Americans

Analysis of the Fastest Three and the Top North Americans