Shiffrin Sixth, Moltzan Top 20 in Kransjka Gora
Stifel U.S. Alpine Team athletes Mikaela Shiffrin and Paula Moltzan finished sixth and 19th on the first day of the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup giant slalom series in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia.
The women’s first run was stacked, with mere tenths of a second separating first from 10th, making for a competitive second run. After the first run, Shiffrin clocked in fifth and Moltzan 14th.
"The course held up great; the snow is probably some of the best we have seen this year,” said Moltzan. “My first run felt better than the second run, but the good thing is there is another day tomorrow.”
Canadian skier Valerie Grenier secured her first-ever World Cup podium and victory with Italian skier Marta Bassino in second, and Petra Vlhova in third.
“I think it was a very exciting race with the top ladies," said Shiffrin. "They skied very well and it was fun to watch."
Shiffrin is currently at 81 World Cup wins, just one shy of the 82-win women's record held by American skier Lindsey Vonn. Shiffrin plans to remain focused on her skiing as the record looms.
“It was a great race and I will look at my video to see where I lost time, so we will see if I can pick it up tomorrow,” said Shiffrin. “I was not thinking about the record today. Every race I ski now I have the chance to equalize Lindsey’s record, but I will just focus on my skiing.”
Ava Sunshine, Katie Hensien and Stella Johansson finished the first run but did not qualify for a second run. Nina O’Brien was ripping through the track of the first run but unfortunately did not finish.
Shiffrin and the rest of the Stifel U.S. Alpine Team crew have a chance in another giant slalom race Sunday.
The Stifel U.S. Alpine Team men’s giant slalom crew raced on the Adelboden track in Switzerland today, Jan. 7. A highlight of the afternoon was the thousands of fans in attendance. The cheering was loud and the atmosphere was electric on the warm and sunny Switzerland afternoon.
River Radamus led the team and finished in 22nd place with Tommy Ford close behind in 27th. Both racers had trouble on the first and second runs, but remain in high spirits as they look to the next giant slaloms later this month.
Marco Odermatt of Switzerland had a big win in front of the home crowd. Henrik Kristoffersen of Norway took second and Swiss skier Loic Meillard was third.
Brian McLaughlin and Patrick Kenney both raced, but McLaughlin did not finish and Kenney did not qualify for a second run.
The Adelboden track turns to slalom on Sunday.
RESULTS
Women's slalom
Men's giant slalom
HOW TO WATCH
Sunday, Jan 8, 2023
3:30 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup, women's giant slalom, first run, Kranjska Gora, Slovenia streaming on skiandsnowboard.live
4:30 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup, men's slalom, first run, Adelboden, Switzerland, streaming on skiandsnowboard.live
7:30 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup, men's slalom, second run, Adelboden, Switzerland, streaming on skiandsnowboard.live
6:30 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup, women's giant slalom, second run, Kranjska Gora, Slovenia streaming on skiandsnowboard.live
