Shiffrin leads Zagreb slalom

Mikaela Shiffrin. Photo: GEPA pictures. 

ZAGREB, Croatia – As the race began in Zagreb, it became clear the efforts of the race crew had made the race possible. Warm temperatures are the enemy of fair conditions and hard race surfaces, and it is warm. They have lowered the start to take advantage of the best snow on the race hill. Additionally, an appropriately set course reduced but did not eliminate deterioration. So when bib seven, Mikaela Shiffrin, finished with the best first run time, it was clear the FIS and the course crew volunteers did their job well. However, It is only possible to do so much, and as predicted, the snow surface would supply the biggest challenge. 

The four-time overall champion is chasing World Cup career victory 81, which would leave her one short of the women’s record held by fellow American Lindsey Vonn. The overall best mark is 86, from Swedish great Ingemar Stenmark. In the first run, Shiffrin used good skiing in the first two sectors to launch into the fastest final split and qualify first. Sweden’s Anna Swenn Larsson skied with beautiful timing and power and is currently 2nd, 0.23 behind the leader. Last season’s Snow Queen Petra Vlhova is presently third, 0.55 seconds back. The only other competitor able to finish less than a second back is Austria’s Katharina Liensberger. There is, however, another North American in contention. Canada’s Ali Nullmeyer, bib 12, is fifth after the first run, 1.21 seconds behind Shiffrin. 

Reporting on the skiing of Shiffrin is becoming a bit of a broken record. She is very comfortable with her equipment setup, and her transitions are precise and executed with authority. Attacking with a clean arcing turn, she can do so without undue risk. She is simply on top of her game. Her level of skiing is only possible by confident racers who see the timing of each turn well. Undoubtedly, the fact that there are three women within a second shows how good these women are. 

Course deterioration created a significant challenge

The course slowed as the grooves in the soft snow increased with every skier. Additionally, as the race progressed, the ability of athletes dropped. Even with a shortened course, the time spread of the 30 competitors to qualify was considerable. However, with some mistakes in the first 30 and several athletes not finishing, an opportunity existed for a few higher bibs to be included in the second run. 

Eventually, the course conditions became too complicated, and it became clear it was too much for the developing athletes. Only five athletes with bibs above 30 were able to qualify. The final one to cross in the top 30 was bib 38, Italy’s Marta Rossetti. Rossetti was able to finish in 29th place. Notably, Canadian Laurence St Germain, bib 19, was the final athlete to qualify and will start the second run first. St Germain was 3.91 behind Shiffrin. Notably, the Canadian squad qualified three competitors for the second run. Amelia Smart is currently in 18th.

Paula Moltzan, who came runner-up to Shiffrin in a night race in Austria last week for the first American 1-2 finish in a women’s slalom in 51 years, was just 0.07 off the pace at the first split before straddling a gate and not finishing her run. Only one US athlete who will ski in the final. 

The snow conditions are an unfortunate part of the story. Twenty-one of the sixty-three starters were unable to finish the course. Additionally, more had significant difficulties. Unfortunately, soft, warm snow is often a part of the recent ski racing story. We will see how the world’s number one handles running last on the second run. She will likely do just fine.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Analysis of the top three and other qualified North Americans and top 33 first-run results

top 33 First run results Zagreb SL Jan. 4th

The Associated Press contributed to this report.