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Are’s giant slalom degenerates into a show by Petra Vlhova. The Slovakian makes the fight for the overall World Cup exciting again.
The pedestal
- 1. Petra Vlhova (SVK) 1:14.80
- 2. Marta Bassino (ITA) +1.24 seconds
- 3. Mikaela Shiffrin (USA) +1.70 seconds
The giant slalom slope in Are suffered more and more with every rider. Grooves became furrows, which grew into regular holes. Because the previously softened snow had been watered (too late) before the final, the second run on the floodlit slope was no longer enjoyable – until Petra Vlhova was the last skier to ski in the final. As in the first run, the Slovak drove as if on rails and distanced her competition by 1.24 seconds and more. The Italian Marta Bassino came closest to her.
With 100 points under her belt, Vlhova is making the overall World Cup exciting again. Going into the final 5 races of the season, the 26-year-old is just 77 points behind Mikaela Shiffrin, who finished third in Are.
And in the race for the little crystal ball everything is still open before the last World Cup. Because Sara Hector fell in her home country, the Swede (522 points), Tessa Worley and Shiffrin are only 51 points apart. Even Vlhova (431) still has theoretical chances for first place.
The Swiss
- 9. Michelle Gisin +2.65
- 12. Simone Wild +3.15
- 14. Vivianne Harri +3.31
- 19. Andrea Ellenberger +3.98
- DNF: Wendy Holdener
The Swiss Ski Team showed a compact performance in the far north, but missed the top places. Michelle Gisin made a blunder in the final part, which cost her a lot of time. Nevertheless, the Engelberg native still made it into the top 10. Behind them, Simone Wild, Vivianne Härri and Andrea Ellenberger can also be satisfied with their classifications.
The trio took advantage of the early start numbers in the second run and made up ground in the final. Härri, who only scored points for the third time, started 29th in the first round and overtook 15 competitors. In the final she was more than 1 second faster than the winner Vlhova – of course also because of the better slope.
Wendy Holdener was thrown off the runway. After finishing 13th in the first run, the Schwyz native had major problems and fell heavily. She was then able to slide down the slope on her skis, but had to have stitches on her lower leg in the finish area. Apparently, Holdener cut himself on the ski edges when he took off. It is not yet known whether the 28-year-old has been injured more seriously and whether she can start on Saturday.
In the fight for participation in the World Cup final of the 25 best giant slalom skiers in Courchevel, Holdener (25th) still has the lead in a team-internal three-way battle with Ellenberger (26th) and Wild (27th) by 5 and 7 points respectively.
Lara Gut-Behrami was not at the start. After the Tessinerin suffered a blow when entering Lenzerheide last Sunday, she decided not to travel to Sweden.
Here’s how to proceed
For Gisin and Co. there is still a slalom in Are, Sweden, on Saturday before the ski entourage travels to Courchevel in France for the World Cup final (March 16 – 20). The last races are on the program there in all four disciplines.