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The Schwyzerin triumphs in Killington and ends an almost endless dry spell.
The pedestal
- 1. Wendy Holdener (SUI) 1:42.97 minutes
- 1. Anna Swenn-Larsson (SWE) +0.00 seconds
- 3. Catherine Troupe (AUT) +0.22
Finally! Wendy Holdener won a World Cup slalom for the first time in Killington (USA). The native of Schwyz had to wait a long time for this historic triumph – and was often satisfied with second or third place. In the 106th slalom and after 30 podium places, Holdener is finally allowed to climb to the top of the podium.
Holdener, still in 2nd position at half-time, showed nerves of steel in the decision and brought her run down to the valley with almost no errors – there the number one shone. She drove exactly the same time as the Swede Anna Swenn-Larsson, for whom the triumph is even the 1st World Cup victory ever. Katharina Truppe of Austria finished third, 0.22 seconds back.
Shiffrin beaten
Local hero Mikaela Shiffrin, who had won all 5 slaloms so far in Killington, was not cold-blooded enough for once and even missed the podium in fifth place (+0.59). The American must continue to wait for the 50th World Cup triumph in slalom.
The other Swiss women
- 17. Melanie Meillard +1.52
- 20. Elena Stoffel +1.90
- 23. Camille Rast +2.18
- 26. Michelle Gisin +2.68
- Retired in the 1st run: Aline Danioth
Michelle Gisin is still not getting going this season. Even after her 4th race of the season, the woman from Engelberg is still without a top 10 ranking. A day ago, the 28-year-old had to settle for 26th place in the giant slalom in Vermont, and she was also 26th in the slalom – more than two and a half seconds behind.
Things went better for Mélanie Meillard and Elena Stoffel, who were able to turn up the heat in the second run and made up 10 and 9 places respectively.
Here’s how to proceed
A giant slalom and a slalom are scheduled for the weekend of December 10th and 11th in Sestriere, Italy. The women’s ski circus stops a week earlier in Lake Louise (CAN), where speed is king: there are two downhills and a super-G.