KRANJSKA GORA, SLOVENIA, 07.JAN.24 – FIS World Cup,Lena Duerr (GER), Petra Vlhova (SVK) and A J Hurt (USA). GEPA pictures/ Matic Klansek

Slovakian Petra Vlhová reigns victory in the 2024 Kranjska Gora slalom! The day was filled with exhilarating surprises, grit, and immaculate competition.

Mikaela Shiffrin shocked everyone in the first run. Unfortunately, she straddled in the challenging top section of the course. This mishap was a rare occurrence for Shiffrin, as she has only skied out once in her previous 50 World Cup starts.

However, her mistake opened Vlhová’s opportunity to claim the Golden Fox in the 6th slalom of the season. It was Vlhová’s 22nd win in World Cup slalom.

Vlhová stated, “I am really happy and so proud. It was really tough conditions, and in the second run, I was fighting from start to finish,” she continued, “In front of many Slovakian people, this is a really great win!”

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Stifel US Ski Team AJ Hurt had a remarkable, surprising performance. With an astonishing display of skill and determination, she executed a milestone run, maintaining a tight line that put her in the leader’s chair. Hurt’s dominance continued until Lena Dürr crossed the finish line.

Hurt achieved her first podium finish and best result by far. The only two results the athlete has in World Cup slalom are 29th and 25th place. Today was a massive success for the 23-year-old athlete. 

She stated, “I am very happy. I did not really expect this, but I am very happy to be here,” She continued, “I train with Paula everyday and I feel like I am always chasing her, every single day. I don’t know how I ended up in front of her today.”

Mikaela chimed in on social media stating, “The worst part about first run straddling and sickness? Not being able to witness, in person, the most incredible performance by AJ Hurt. Absolutely slaying to her first podium ever.”

Going into the second run, Dürr from Germany and Leana Popovic from Croatia tied for second place. Leana Popovic got late and low through the last section of the course and lost speed, which pushed her into 11th place. 

Dürr went all out on the second run and was able to hang on through the last section of the course. She came across the finish line, pushing Hurt off of the leader’s chair, earning herself 2nd place. 

The second run of the course proved to be much more challenging compared to the first. The final section of the track featured wide, sweeping turns that demanded tactical skiing from the athletes. 

Other North Americans

Stifel US Ski Team athlete Paula Moltzan ignited out of the start gate, commencing with a fast upper section. On the lower section, she continued to display impressive skiing but got pushed a little late and low, which cost her time. However, she still managed to achieve 5th place. This is Moltzan’s eighth top-5 finish in World Cup slalom. 

Alpine Canada Alpin athlete Amelia Smart pushed herself from edge to edge and attacked the challenging course. Smart got pushed a little low on the bottom section of the hill, which cost her a little time. Nonetheless, she ended the day in 16th place. This was the fourth time that Smart has been able to collect points this season. 

Ali Nullmeyer established herself on the second run from the beginning. Regardless of her first two fast intervals, she got behind the tempo at the bottom of the track. She achieved a 19th-place result. 

Kranjska Gora Slalom Results and Analysis of the Fastest Three and the North Americans

Analysis of the Fastest Three and the North Americans