Women’s Slalom Regular Season Finale: Shiffrin’s Return Sparks Excitement in Åre

By Published On: March 9th, 2024Comments Off on Women’s Slalom Regular Season Finale: Shiffrin’s Return Sparks Excitement in Åre

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Who is racing, when and how to watch the Sunday, March 10th Women’s Åre Sweden World Cup Slalom

The anticipation is palpable as the women’s final regular-season slalom in Åre, Sweden, approaches on Sunday, March 10th. All eyes are on the return of the sport’s biggest star, Mikaela Shiffrin of the Stifel US Ski Team, who is finally making a comeback after a significant injury sidelined her on January 26th in Cortina d’Ampezzo while racing downhill.

Interestingly, Shiffrin’s absence prolonged the 2024 slalom title chase. Notably, only she and Petra Vlhová claimed victories in the season’s first eight races. However, Sweden’s Anna Swenn-Larsson seized the opportunity, winning the last race in Soldeu, Andorra, with both women absent.

Despite her injury, Shiffrin has maintained a commanding lead in the slalom globe battle, with a massive 125-point advantage over the injured Vlhová. While her title is nearly secured, it’s not yet a done deal mathematically, with Germany’s Lena Dürr holding onto a slim chance of upsetting the standings.

Top-ranked slalom Women 2024 World Cup

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Fifty-seven women representing 17 countries will race in Sunday’s Åre Sweden slalom.

Nation Cup standings

In the Women’s Nations Cup Slalom team competition, Mikaela Shiffrin’s absence has shifted the dynamics, propelling Switzerland to the forefront with an impressive 962 points earned by a team of six athletes. The Swiss lead is closely trailed by the US Ski Team, boosted by independent skier Lila Lapanja, with four women accumulating 911 points. Austria follows closely behind with 893 points, contributed by a team of eight athletes.

The Canadian team finds itself in 8th place, striving to ascend in the standings with 326 points earned by three athletes.

North Americans

North American skiers have been making waves, with Mikaela Shiffrin, Paula Moltzan, and Ali Nullmeyer securing their spots in the World Cup finals in Saalbach.

Meanwhile, Canadian Laurence St-Germain, the reigning World Champion, has been rallying from an early-season injury and is ranked just outside the top 25 in 26th place, demonstrating resilience and determination.

Similarly, AJ Hurt of the Stifel US Ski Team has been in the mix. Currently ranked 31st with 66 points, she has shown flashes of world-class speed despite grappling with consistency issues throughout the season. As the competition heats up, St-Germain and Hurt remain formidable contenders, poised to seize their opportunity on the slopes of Åre.

North Americans with 2024 World Cup Slalom points

North Americans competing in the Soldeu Andorra World Cup slalom Sunday, February 11th

With Shiffrin’s return and the season’s climax approaching, excitement builds as fans eagerly await the action-packed regular-season finale in Åre.

When and how to watch

The women’s first SL run will begin at 5:30 am Eastern Time, 2:30 am Pacific Time and 10:30 Central European Time. The second run will start at 8:30 am Eastern Time, 5:30 am Pacific Time and 1:30 pm Central European Time.

In the United States watch the live stream and replays on Ski & Snowboard Live

In Canada watch the live stream and replays on CBC Sports

First run start list and daily program for the Sunday, March 10th Women’s World Cup SL in Åre Sweden

Program for the Åre Sweden slalom Sunday, March 10th

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About the Author: Peter Lange

Lange is the current Publisher of Ski Racing Media. However, over 38 seasons, he enjoyed coaching athletes of all ages and abilities. Lange’s experience includes leading Team America and working with National Team athletes from the United States, Norway, Austria, Australia, and Great Britain. He was the US Ski Team Head University Coach for the two seasons the program existed. Lange says, “In the end, the real value of this sport is the relationships you make, they are priceless.”