A Nail-Biting Finish
With Germany’s Lena Dürr leading the race, all eyes turned to 20-year-old Croatia’s Zrinka Ljutic, the fastest skier from the first run, to decide the winner. Benefiting from her father setting the first run course, Ljutic entered the second run with a 0.51-second advantage over Dürr. Despite Dürr’s impressive second run, which included a significant mistake, Ljutic extended her lead to 1.75 seconds, clinching her first World Cup victory. The win was historic, marking the first time in 22 years that a Croatian woman claimed a World Cup victory, following in the footsteps of skiing legend Janica Kostelić. Ljutic, who had previously earned three slalom podiums, finally stood atop the podium in a breakthrough moment for her career.
It feels like a dream. This has been my goal since I was a little kid, and to achieve it today is just amazing,” said Zrinka Ljutic after her historic victory. “I felt all over the place on that run and didn’t know if I was fast enough, so I just pushed all the way down. I really wanted to take this chance—and I did.”
“I just saw that I was first and that’s all I cared about, I just wanted to take the win home,” Ljutic said “And then I saw the 1.75 and thought, ‘What? That doesn’t make sense.'”
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“I was just happy to see the green light after my second run because I haven’t had that in the last few races,” Lena Dürr said, reflecting on her performance. “My second runs have often been a struggle, so it feels great to finish strong today. Maybe the day will come for my first victory of the season, but I know I need two good runs to make that happen. The level in slalom is incredibly high right now, and there’s no room for mistakes.”
Liensberger Shines as Austria Celebrates Another Slalom Podium
Dürr and Austria’s Katharina Liensberger joined Ljutic on the podium, finishing second and third, respectively. Dürr’s strong second run kept her in contention, while Liensberger delighted the home crowd with a stellar performance, earning her second slalom podium of the season. The fans erupted as Liensberger secured third place, capping an electrifying race day in Semmering.
“It was special because, after the first run, I knew I could do better,” Katharina Liensberger said, reflecting on her performance. “I really pushed myself in the second run, letting my skis go with the right mindset. I was fast, and it felt incredible to deliver a performance like that. To ski this way in front of the home crowd, hearing their cheers, is something I’ll never forget. It makes this podium finish even more meaningful.”
Liensberger Delivers for the Home Crowd
To the home crowd’s delight, Austrian favorite Liensberger, the seventh-fastest from the first run, delivered an outstanding performance to wrestle the lead from Switzerland’s Melanie Meillard by 0.97 seconds. Her effort kept hopes of an Austrian podium alive. However, with five of the fastest skiers still to come, the race was far from over.
Final Racers Bring High Tension
The tension heightened when Slovenia’s Neja Dvornik, the fifth-fastest from the first run, straddled a gate and failed to finish. Next, Switzerland’s veteran Wendy Holdener crossed the line in third, temporarily securing a podium spot but unable to surpass Liensberger. With only three racers left, Liensberger’s podium finish was guaranteed.
Dürr, one of the top contenders, was next. Dürr managed to edge past Liensberger by a slim margin of 0.10 seconds, taking the lead and setting up a thrilling conclusion.
Gritsch Shines Early, Aicher Takes the Lead
After the first ten women completed their second runs, the home crowd cheered as Austria’s Franziska Gritsch held the lead, 0.25 seconds ahead of Sweden’s Cornelia Oehlund. With 15 racers at the finish—half the field—Austrian fans were thrilled to see Gritsch still in the leader’s chair, with Switzerland’s Eliane Christen—a first-run surprise—just 0.03 seconds behind in second. It wasn’t until Germany’s Emma Aicher, the 18th skier, crossed the line that Gritsch was dethroned. Aicher’s run was impressive, giving her a commanding lead of 0.66 seconds. With only ten racers remaining, Aicher led the standings, with Gritsch climbing the leaderboard. Gritsch climbed 12 positions by the end of the race and finished 11th.
Vlhová’s Presence Adds to the Excitement
Semmering offered more than world-class racing this weekend. Slovakian superstar Petra Vlhová attended the event, marking her first appearance at a World Cup race since her crash in Jasná last season. While she wasn’t competing, her presence reminded fans of her significance to the sport. The prospect of future battles between Vlhová and Mikaela Shiffrin adds excitement to the season ahead, as both athletes are deeply missed on the racecourse.
AJ Hurt Takes a Step Forward
Seeing Stifel U.S. Ski Team’s AJ Hurt back in action was great. She raced her first events of the season in Semmering, and although she didn’t display the speed we’re used to seeing, she qualified both days and took her first steps back toward the podium-level skiing we expect. Her second run was another step in the right direction. Hurt moved up nine spots in the afternoon to finish 18th.
Smart’s Struggles Continue
The second North American to ski was Canada’s Amelia Smart. Unfortunately, she did not deliver a run that moved her up the leaderboard. Smart fell six positions during the afternoon run and finished 27th.
Disappointment for St-Germain
The final North American to ski was the reigning World Champion, Canada’s Laurence St-Germain. Unfortunately, like her teammate Smart, she had a disappointing second run and fell eight places in the standings to finish 24th.
Looking Ahead to the New Year
With the conclusion of the Semmering slalom, the 2024 World Cup season comes to a close, leaving fans eager for what lies ahead. The next race on the calendar is a giant slalom in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, on January 4th, marking the start of a new year of intense competition. As the athletes enjoy a brief holiday break, they will undoubtedly be preparing to deliver more thrilling performances in 2025. For now, Semmering leaves us with memorable moments and rising stars to watch, setting the stage for an exciting year in Alpine skiing.
Top 30 First Run Results
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Run Analysis: Fastest Three and Qualified North Americans
About the Author: Peter Lange
