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Wendy Holdener only had to admit defeat to Mikaela Shiffrin in the 2nd slalom in Levi. The American celebrates the perfect start to the season.
The top drivers
- 1. Mikaela Shiffrin (USA) 1:51.21
- 2. Wendy Holdener (SUI) +0.28
- 3. Petra Vlhova (SVK) +0.68
- 4. Lena Durr (GER) + 0.97
- 5. Sara Hector (SWE) +1.42
After a solid first run and a completely unleashed second run, Wendy Holdener was about to win her first ever slalom World Cup. A strong steep slope gave the Schwyzer the decisive advantage. Neither Lena Dürr (GER) nor Petra Vlhova (SVK) could match Holdener’s time. The problem: Mikaela Shiffrin was still at the start.
The American, already victorious on Saturday, dashed Holdener’s hopes. The 27-year-old also set the fastest time in the second run and thus gained a lead of 0.28 seconds. For Holdener, the 105th slalom race didn’t end with victory either – but she can at least console herself with the 30th podium finish.
Top 5 almost without change
Dürr also experienced another bitter afternoon. The German had to settle for the thankless 4th place for the second time in a row. Olympic champion Vlhova ended the slalom weekend in Finland with another 3rd place.
The top 5 differed from the race on Saturday in only one position. The Swede Anna Swenn-Larsson, who was second in the first race, retired early on Sunday. She was “replaced” by compatriot Sara Hector, who finished 5th.
The other Swiss women
- 16. Michelle Gisin +2.50
- 19. Nicole Good + 3.11
- 28. Aline Danioth +6.02
- 32. Camille Rast
- 36. Elena Stoffel
- 43. Melanie Meillard
- 45. Aline Hopli
- 49. Lorina Zelger
Nicole Good showed a superior performance and was happy about World Cup points after being eliminated on Saturday in 23rd place. On the other hand, it was a disappointment for Aline Danioth. She started the second round from 16th place, but fell back significantly after a major mistake in the middle section. In the end she was 6.02 seconds behind and finished 28th.
Michelle Gisin wasn’t entirely convincing either. She showed a second run marked by mistakes and had to settle for 16th place.
For five Swiss women it was already over after the first run. Coming in 32nd, Camille Rast narrowly missed making it into the top 30. In the end, she was only 11 hundredths short.
The further program
Heading overseas to Killington next weekend. For the women there is a giant slalom and a slalom. The men are also active in North America. In Lake Louise there is a downhill on Friday and two Super-G (Saturday/Sunday).