GEPA pictures
Saturday, March 16th, Saalbach Austria, the only woman not named Mikaela Shiffrin or Petra Vlhová to win a World Cup slalom this season; Sweden’s Anna Swenn Larsson has the first-run lead. Skiing with bib 2 in warm salted snow, the Soldeu slalom winner has put herself in the driver’s seat for her career fourth victory.
Stifel US Ski Team’s Shiffrin arrived at the Saalbach finals with the slalom title clinched and six slalom victories this season. Today’s slalom will be her last World Cup competition of the 2024 season, but as always, she delivered a strong run on a course set by her coach, Karin Harjo. Although she trails the Swedish leader by (+0.11), she is certainly close enough to compete for her 97th World Cup victory in the afternoon.
Not surprisingly, Croatia’s 20-year-old Zrinka Ljutic is third (+0.67). She has earned three second-place finishes this season and would love to end her slalom season with a victory. After the morning run, Canadian skier Ali Nullmeyer, who showcased a strong start to the season in Levi, Finland, ranks fourth (+0.91) The fastest four were the only ones within a second of the lead.
Stifel US Ski Team’s Paula Moltzan was the last North American to ski. Moltzan drew bib 14, and considering her start position during the warm, soft snow morning, she skied well and ended the first run ranked 7th (+1.49). However, she will have the best start number of the North Americans during the afternoon’s run.
Anticipation mounts for the final afternoon run in Saalbach, setting the stage for an exhilarating showdown. With Anna Swenn Larsson leading the pack and Mikaela Shiffrin hot on her heels, the battle for victory promises nothing short of spectacular. The energy is palpable as the world’s best skiers gear up for their last chance to make a mark on the 2024 season. Fans and competitors alike, prepare for an afternoon brimming with adrenaline, drama, and unforgettable moments as these incredible athletes push their limits and chase their dreams in the heart of the Austrian Alps.
First-run results and analysis of the fastest three and North Americans
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