GEPA pictures/Matic Klansek

For the first time this season, Slovakia’s Petra Vlhová wasn’t the fastest during a slalom run she completed. Today, Stifel US Ski Team superstar Mikaela Shiffrin will take the lead into the afternoon finale. Shiffrin mentioned before the Sölden race that, for multiple reasons, she would build into the season. If this run was just another step forward, the rest of the season will likely be fantastic. Shiffrin has always worked tirelessly to improve. This promises ski racing fans will continue to be entertained by her excellent performances.

Shiffrin called it “A really good run” but will try to improve during the afternoon.

“I feel like I’m not playing with it as much as I want to, but it’s really good, solid technique, it’s really solid power,” she said.

“There’s somehow another percentage that I’m trying to push and trying to get back, but I think that was a really, really good first run.”

However, the fastest five racers are within half of a second of each other. Germany’s Lena Duerr (+0.19), Vlhová ((+0.28), Switzerland’s Wendy Holdener (+0.37), and Croatia’s Leona Popovic (+0.49) have put themselves in an ideal position to end their day on the podium. During the first run, these five women showed they were in a class of their own.

Seeing two more North Americans among the ten fastest on the first run was exciting. Shiffrin’s teammate Paula Moltzan skied to end the morning 6th with her notable power. Moltzan’s fellow University of Vermont Catamount and reigning World Champion Canadian Laurence St-Germain finished the morning in 8th.

The other North American to qualify for the afternoon finale was Canada’s Ali Nullmeyer, tied for 17th (+2.02).

Seven women who started after the first thirty could qualify for the second run. The fastest was bib 34 Italy’s Lara Della Mea, who will go into the afternoon ranked tied 11th (+1.59). The last woman to qualify was Bib 59 France’s Marion Chevrier 30th (+2.66). The youngest was Bib 57, the Italian skier for Albania, Lara Colturi, 17, who is 24th (+2.35).

The North Americans who did not qualify for the afternoon were Amelia Smart (CAN), Zoe Zimmermann (USA), who did not finish; Allie Resnick (USA), Dasha Romanov (USA), who did not start due to injury; AJ Hurt (USA), who did not finish and Justine Lamontagne (CAN) who did not finish.

It is predictable but always impressive. The Killington crowd roared with dedicated enthusiasm as the first racer, Duerr, crossed the finish line. It is impossible to say enough about the energy of the live fans. Their volume goes from loud to louder throughout the race. However, once again, Mikaela Shiffrin ignited the crowd to an unbelievable level. The crowd’s energy was additionally loud because she crossed the finish line with a lead. North American women are once again proving to be strong.

This year’s edition of the Stifel Killington Cup has delivered amazing crowds, perfect surfaces and ideal weather.

Top 30 first-run results Sunday, November 26th Stifel Killington Cup SL and analysis of fastest three and qualified North Americans

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Analysis of the fastest five and other qualified North Americans