Women’s World Cup Night Slalom in Flachau: Rising Stars and North American Hopes

Petra Vlhová and Mikaela Shifrin Flachau 2024 : GEPA pictures

Women’s World Cup Night Slalom in Flachau Austria: Who’s Racing, When, How to Watch and What’s at Stake

A Night of Slalom Magic in Flachau

The Women’s World Cup returns to Flachau, Austria, for the iconic night slalom under the lights on Tuesday, January 14th. Held on the Hermann Maier World Cup racecourse in the Snow Space Salzburg ski resort, this event has been a fan favorite since its first night race in 2010. Named after Flachau legend and Olympic champion Hermann Maier, the slope provides the perfect stage for the world’s top slalom athletes.

Flachau marks a pivotal moment in the slalom season as the athletes transition into the second half of the year. With five races already completed and five remaining, the race for the slalom crystal globe is heating up. Flachau offers skiers a chance to establish momentum as the season builds toward its climax, including the World Championships in Saalbach and the final races in March.

Missing Superstars but Fierce Competition

The slalom season continues without two of its biggest stars, Petra Vlhová of Slovakia and Mikaela Shiffrin of the Stifel U.S. Ski Team, who are both recovering from injuries. Their absence has created an opportunity for new talent to shine, making the race for the season crystal globe one of the most open in recent memory.

Last season, these two athletes were at the heart of one of the greatest rivalries in the sport, with Shiffrin ultimately winning and Vlhová finishing second. Sweden’s Sara Hector shared the podium with these legends,  who delivered consistent performances to solidify her place among the world’s elite. This year, only Hector will be racing, as Shiffrin and Vlhová focus on recovery, leaving the door wide open for other athletes to make their mark.

Flachau: Speed Over Technicality

Flachau has been about speed and quickness, unlike some of the season’s more technical hills. The course, typically in perfect condition thanks to meticulous preparation and manmade enhancements, offers minimal natural terrain features. The challenge is simple: How fast can you ski? Skiers who excel in smooth, flowing courses usually have an edge here, and those willing to push the limits can separate themselves from the pack.

Current Slalom Podium Earners

In the first five slalom races, eight women have shared the podiums, showcasing incredible depth and competition. Here’s the list of podium finishes this season:

• Levi, Finland: Shiffrin (USA), Katharina Liensberger (AUT), Lena Dürr (GER)
• Gürgl, Austria: Shiffrin (USA), Lara Colturi (ALB), Camille Rast (SUI)
• Killington, Vermont: Rast (SUI), Anna Swenn-Larsson (SWE), Wendy Holdener (SUI)
• Semmering, Austria: Zrinka Ljutić (CRO), Dürr (GER), Liensberger (AUT)
• Kranjska Gora, Slovenia: Ljutić (CRO), Holdener (SUI), Swenn-Larsson (SWE)

Croatia’s Zrinka Ljutić leads the slalom standings with 309 points, followed by Switzerland’s Camille Rast (305) and Wendy Holdener (265). With five races remaining, the battle for the season title remains unpredictable.

Who to Watch

As Flachau kicks off the second half of the slalom season, all eyes will be on the following key contenders:

• Katharina Liensberger (AUT): The Austrian star is chasing her first victory of the season on home snow. With podiums in Levi and Semmering, Liensberger will have the full support of the passionate Flachau crowd.
• Zrinka Ljutić (CRO): The current slalom leader has been in exceptional form, winning back-to-back races in Semmering and Kranjska Gora. At just 20 years old, she’s establishing herself as a favorite for the season title.
• Camille Rast (SUI): Rast’s consistency has been a key factor this season, including a win in Killington and a podium in Gürgl. She’s just four points behind Ljutić in the standings.
• Wendy Holdener (SUI): A proven champion, Holdener finished on the podium in both Killington and Kranjska Gora. She remains a threat for both the Flachau race and the crystal globe.
• Anna Swenn-Larsson (SWE): The Swedish skier has been consistent, with podium finishes in Killington and Kranjska Gora. She’s a strong technical racer and could break through for her first win of the season.
• Lena Dürr (GER): Dürr’s precision and consistency have earned her podium finishes in Levi and Semmering. She’s a top contender on smooth, flowing courses like Flachau.
• Lara Colturi (ALB): The 18-year-old rising star made waves with her second-place finish in Gürgl. Though young, Colturi has proven she can compete with the best.

Top 15 Women’s 2024-25 SL World Cup Standings

These rankings reflect the depth of talent in women’s slalom, with Ljutić leading the charge and several athletes poised to make the challenge for the top spot.

Sixty-eight women from 21 nations will start the women’s World Cup SL in Flachau, Austria. Switzerland and Austria entered the most athletes, Switzerland fielding nine competitors and Austria starting with eight.

Christian Brill (SUI) has set the first run, and Roberto Lorenzi (ITA) will set the second run.

North America’s 2024-25 World Cup Slalom Rankings

North American Contenders

The U.S. contingent heads into Flachau with a mix of experienced racers and rising talent eager to make an impact. Paula Moltzan, ranked 15th in the standings, leads the team as a proven podium finisher. Although she has yet to score a podium this season, her strong technical skills and determination could see her back in contention in Flachau.

Katie Hensien delivered the best slalom result of her career in Kranjska Gora, finishing 12th. Ranked 29th overall, Hensien will aim to carry that momentum into Flachau as she continues to push for even stronger results in the second half of the season.

AJ Hurt has been steadily improving since her return from a back injury, highlighted by an 18th-place finish in Semmering. Currently ranked 38th, Hurt brings grit and determination to the Flachau slope as she continues her comeback.

Nina O’Brien, who has yet to score slalom points this season, has shown flashes of brilliance in past seasons and remains a reliable technical skier for the team. She’ll aim to break into the top 30 here and lay the foundation for a strong second half of the season.

These Stifel U.S. Ski Team athletes represent a blend of experience and potential, with all eyes on Flachau as they aim to close the gap of the world’s best.

U.S. Independent

Completing the U.S. lineup, Kendahl Roufa, an independent racer with APEX2100, is set for her third World Cup. Roufa earned her spot through last season’s NorAm results. With an FIS slalom rank of 157, she will be among the last to race in the first run, but the excitement of a World Cup night slalom should be a great experience.

Alpine Canada Alpin

Canada’s small but determined group has faced its share of challenges this season but remains competitive on the World Cup circuit.

Laurence St-Germain, the reigning slalom world champion, is the highest-ranked North American in slalom, currently sitting 12th in the standings. St-Germain has yet to replicate her World Championship-winning form this season but is capable of breaking through at any moment.

Amelia Smart, ranked 41st, is a University of Denver graduate focused on building consistency this season. Her performances so far have shown promise, but she will be looking for a breakthrough result in Flachau to gain momentum for the second half of the season.

Kiki Alexander continues to gain valuable international experience in her eighth World Cup slalom season. While she hasn’t scored points this season, her dedication and steady improvement make her a skier to watch as she tackles Flachau’s fast-paced course.

Ali Nullmeyer, currently ranked 38th, remains sidelined with injury but showed flashes of brilliance earlier in her career. Her absence has left the team with a gap to fill, but her teammates are working hard to carry the flag for Alpine Canada Alpin.

What’s at Stake

Flachau isn’t just about World Cup points; it’s also one of the final chances for athletes to secure spots on their national teams for the World Championships in Saalbach. With only two slaloms remaining before the championships, the pressure is on for skiers on the bubble to deliver strong performances.

Night slaloms are always thrilling, and the crowd in Flachau’s finish area is among the most passionate in the world. With a tight battle for the season title and high stakes for qualification, the 2024-25 Flachau night slalom promises to deliver unforgettable moments.

North American Women Racing Slalom in Killington

• Bib 15, Paula Moltzan, Stifel USST, University of Vermont, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, Oakley
• Bib 17, Laurence St-Germain, ACA, University of Vermont, Mont Sainte-Anne
• Bib 28, AJ Hurt, Stifel USST, Team Palisades Tahoe, HEAD
• Bib 29, Amelia Smart, ACA, Windermere, University of Denver, Atomic
• Bib 37, Katie Hensien, Stifel USST, University of Denver, Rowmark Ski Academy, SHRED
• Bib 45, Nina O’Brien, Stifel USST, Burke Mountain Academy
• Bib 55, Kiki Alexander, ACA, Sunshine Alpine Racers
• Bib 66, Kendahl Roufa, Apex2100, Ski & Snowboard Club Vail, SHRED
• Bib , Justine Lamontagne, Mount Sainte-Anne, Montana State University

How and When to Watch

The first run starts at 11:45 p.m. Eastern and 8:45 a.m. Pacific time, with the second run following at 2:45 p.m. Eastern and 11:45 a.m. Pacific Time.

U.S. audiences can catch the Stifel Killington Cup women’s slalom live or on replay on Peacock.

Sports enthusiasts in Canada can watch the World Cup on CBC Sports.

Daily Program and First Run Start List

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First Run Start List