Vlhová Wins First Run, Shiffrin Straddles a Gate in the Kranjska Gora Slalom 

Petra Vlhova (SVK). Photo: GEPA / Wolfgang Grebien

The women faced another day of subpar weather conditions for the tech events in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia. The snowfall was heavy and wet, which added to the challenging surface. However, the weather cleared slightly in the morning and the flat light lessened, so the women could let their skis run. 

The women persevered through the conditions, intending to move onto the leaderboard. Petra Vlhová started the day wearing bib one and held first-place result heading into the second run. 

Stifel US Ski Team athlete Mikaela Shiffrin came into this slalom event 100 points ahead of the field on the slalom World Cup rankings. She has the most wins in slalom for both female and male racers. Unfortunately, she was slightly behind through the first interval of the course, and then she straddled. It was unexpected as she had only skied out once in her previous 50 races.

Teammate Paula Moltzan has been charging out of the gate in slalom. She looked quick out of the start but lost some speed through the bottom section. She is heading into the second run in 5th place (+0.80). She is still in solid contingency, +0.80 behind Vlhová. 

Lena Dürr from Germany and Leana Popovic from Croatia completed the initial run, securing the top 3 positions with a tie. They finished the race +0.26 seconds behind Petra Vlhová.

Dürr has been the only athlete besides Shiffrin and Vlhová to stand on multiple podiums this season. She has accomplished three podium finishes and strives to add another one today.

Other North Americans

Today was the sixth World Cup slalom this season and the North Americans skied fiercely with the hopes of getting onto the leaderboard. 

AJ Hurt’s fast top split displayed composure and stability on the steep terrain. She fought from top to bottom and crossed the finish line in 16th position. After her 18th-place finish in the giant slalom, hurt had the momentum moving into today. She aims to accomplish her best slalom World Cup finish. 

Alpine Canada Alpin Ali Nullmeyer, has been consistent this season. She showed composure and strong skiing through each turn from start to finish. Nullmeyer was sixth on this hill two years ago and aims to return to the top 10. After the first run, she is heading into the afternoon in 17th place. 

Teammate Amelia Smart scored in three of the five slaloms this season. After a solid run, Smart ended in 22nd place, giving her another chance to increase her ranking in slalom. 

The course started to get chewed up as the second half of the racers competed for a spot in the top 30. However, seven athletes from outside the top 30 showed grit, achieving a second-run start. 

The second run begins at 12:30 CET. Tune in for the excitement!

Fastest 30 from the first run of the Kranjska Gora slalom and analysis of the Fastest Three and the Top North Americans

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Analysis of the Fastest Three and the Top North Americans