Gürgl finish area: GEPA pictures
Women’s World Cup Slalom in Gürgl: Shiffrin, Rising Stars, and How to Watch
The women’s Alpine World Cup slalom debuts in Gürgl, Austria, on Nov. 23, highlighting the breathtaking Kirchenkar slope. Located above the treeline at 2,475 meters or 8120 feet, this high-altitude track combines stunning alpine views with intense challenges. Featuring a steep 62% maximum gradient, a 548-meter course, and a 210-meter vertical drop, it pushes racers to their limits. While men competed here during last season’s successful debut, the women will face this slope for the first time in a World Cup competition. Renowned for its reliable snow and technical demands, Gürgl promises thrilling action as its ski area opens early for all to enjoy.
Shiffrin Dominates Levi Slalom, Prepares for Gürgl Challenge
Mikaela Shiffrin kicked off the World Cup slalom season in Levi, Finland, with a stunning performance. The Stifel U.S. Ski Team superstar secured her 61st World Cup slalom victory, finishing a commanding 0.79 seconds ahead of Austria’s Katharina Liensberger. Germany’s Lena Dürr claimed third place, making them the only skiers within a second of Shiffrin. Sweden’s Anna Swenn-Larsson finished fourth, trailing 1.28 seconds behind.
In Levi, North American racers were strong, with three athletes in the top ten. Shiffrin led the way in first, while Paula Moltzan of the Stifel U.S. Ski Team finished eighth. Canadian World Champion Laurence St-Germain rounded out the group in tenth. Moltzan and St-Germain honed their skills at the University of Vermont as Catamounts.
Looking ahead to Gürgl, Shiffrin enters as the clear favorite. Her top rival, Slovakia’s Petra Vlhová, remains sidelined while recovering from an injury sustained during a giant slalom race in her home country last season. Without Vlhová in the field, Shiffrin faces a different dynamic, but the competition will still be fierce.
Austrian skiers often excel on home soil, energized by enthusiastic crowds. While Mikaela Shiffrin leads the field, other contenders are eager to claim victory in Gürgl. Notably, the Austrian women’s Slalom and tech team has already matched last season’s podium count in the first two races. Head coach Roland Assinger remarked, “The individual performances are absolutely good for the team. We hope that a train will emerge—the locomotives in front and the others following in the wake.”
National Strength
After the opening SL race, the Stifel U.S. Ski Team, Sweden, Germany, Croatia, and Switzerland each placed two women in the top 15.
Top 15 Women’s SL World Cup Standings
Seventy-six women from 24 nations will start the women’s World Cup SL in Gürgl on Nov. 23. Switzerland and Austria entered the most athletes, with both countries fielding nine competitors.
Denis Stehamik (SLO) will set the first run, and Francis Royal (CAN) will set the second run.
Additional North American Stars in Women’s Slalom
Ali Nullmeyer, who skied for Middlebury College as a Panther, strengthens the World Cup circuit among North American women. She placed in the top 10 in her first run in Levi before a DNF in her second run but remains 13th on the World Cup Start List. Her consistency and skill deepen Alpine Canada Alpin’s roster as the season unfolds.
Amelia Smart, a University of Denver graduate who skied as a Pioneer, is now a member of Alpine Canada Alpin. She finished 23rd in Levi and is ranked 31st on the World Cup Start List. With injuries reshaping the women’s field, she will start among the first 30, giving her a key advantage as she aims to climb the rankings.
AJ Hurt: Still Missing
AJ Hurt, one of the U.S.’s rising talents, showcased her potential last season by securing her first World Cup Slalom podium with a third-place finish in Kranjska Gora, starting from bib 38. She now holds the 35th spot on the Slalom World Cup Start List, reflecting her consistent progress. A lingering injury has forced her to remain sidelined despite her momentum, ruling her out of competition.
North American Women on the SL World Cup Start List
Additional North American Faces in Gürgl
As the slalom season continues in Gürgl, several North American women are ready to join the field for the third World Cup race and the second slalom of the season. This group is a blend of experienced racers and emerging talents, bringing fresh energy and determination to the North American roster.
Canadian Contender
Kiki Alexander, a member of the Sunshine Alpine Racers and Alpine Canada Alpin, starts late in the first run at Gürgl. She didn’t finish her first run in Levi and struggled to find speed, but her experience on World Cup courses gives her an edge. With her talent, she is poised to deliver strong results as she gains more experience.
Rising Stars for Team USA
Katie Hensien from the Stifel US Ski Team DNFed her first run in Levi, but with start number 42 she earned 10th and 12th fastest in the first two splits before straddling the bottom of a two-gate vertical combination.
Also representing the Stifel U.S. Ski Team, Nina O’Brien, starting with bib 50, DNFed in the first run at Levi, coincidentally at the same gate as teammate Katie Hensien. Despite this setback, O’Brien demonstrated competitive speed in the first two sections, highlighting her potential as the season continues.
Completing the U.S. lineup, Kendahl Roufa, an independent racer with APEX2100, competes in her second World Cup in Gürgl after making her debut in Levi a week earlier. She earned her spot through strong NorAm results last season. While she finished her first World Cup run in Levi, like many newcomers, she still needs time to adjust to the circuit. With lessons from Levi, she aims to improve and deliver a stronger performance in Gürgl.
This determined group rounds out the North American entries, each bringing unique stories and potential to Gürgl’s challenging slalom race.
North American Women Racing Slalom in Levi
- Bib 1, Mikaela Shiffrin, Stifel USST, Burke Mountain Academy, Atomic, Oakley
- Bib 11, Paula Moltzan, Stifel USST, University of Vermont, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, Oakley
- Bib 12, Ali Nullmeyer, ACA, Middlebury College, GMVS, Atomic
- Bib 23, Laurence St-Germain, ACA, University of Vermont, Mont Sainte-Anne
- Bib 30, Amelia Smart, ACA, Windermere, University of Denver, Atomic
- Bib 43, Katie Hensien, Stifel USST, University of Denver, Rowmark Ski Academy, SHRED
- Bib 50, Nina O’Brien, Stifel USST, Burke Mountain Academy
- Bib 66, Kiki Alexander, ACA, Sunshine Alpine Racers
- Bib 74, Kendahl Roufa, Apex2100, Ski & Snowboard Club Vail, SHRED
How and When to Watch
The first run starts at 4:30 a.m. Eastern Time and 1:30 a.m. Pacific Time, with the second run following at 7:30 a.m. Eastern Time and 4:30 a.m. Pacific Time.
U.S. audiences can watch the race live or as a replay on Peacock.
Sports enthusiasts in Canada can watch the World Cup on CBC Sports.
Daily Program and First Run Start List
Click the images to enlarge or download.
First Run Start List
About the Author: Peter Lange
