Shiffrin Wins Semmering Giant Slalom, Moltzan 10th
Mikaela Shiffrin nabbed her 78th Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup win in Semmering, Austria, and first giant slalom win since the 2021 season. Stifel U.S. Alpine Team athlete Paula Moltzan took another top 10, landing a 10th place in the strong giant slalom field.
“This is my first giant slalom victory in a while and I felt really good today,” said Shiffrin on her successful skiing in today's race.
The conditions proved to be challenging on the first run, with many racers not making it to the finish line. The snow was variable with a mix of ice and bumps causing racers to get late or pushed off the line. Shiffrin ran bib one on the first run, knifing it to the finish and set a pace far above her competitors with almost one second in the lead.
“These other women pushed so hard on the second run and almost caught up all the way,” said Shiffrin “I try to do my best job every day, and I am confident I can ski well.”
Shiffrin raced to a first-place finish, outpacing second-place finisher Petra Vholva by 0.13 overall and third-place finisher Marta Bassino by 0.31.
It was another positive result for Moltzan, as she continues her strong season with a top 10 in giant slalom.
“I am really excited with how well I skied through really tough conditions and I am happy to end up in the top 10, and now top 15 overall, so with a better bib number I will just keep making those baby steps forward,” said Moltzan on her strong result.
Stifel U.S. Alpine Team athlete Stella Johansson finished first run in 44th position, but did not qualify for a second run. Nina O'Brien, Katie Hensien and Ava Sunshine also raced, but did not finish.
The women continue the tech series in Semmering with another giant slalom on Wednesday, Dec. 28, followed by a night slalom on Thursday, Dec. 29. The Stifel U.S. Alpine Team men will also be back in action in Bormio for a downhill race on Wednesday.
RESULTS
Women's giant slalom
HOW TO WATCH
Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022
4:00 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup, Women's Giant Slalom, first run, Semmering, Austria, streaming on NBC/Peacock.
5:30 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup, Men's Downhill, Bormio, Italy, streaming on skiandsnowboard.live
7:00 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup, Women's Giant Slalom, second run, Semmering, Austria, streaming on NBC/Peacock.
Thursday, Dec. 29, 2022
9:00 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup, Women's Slalom, first run, Semmering, Austria, streaming on NBC/Peacock.
5:30 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup, Men's Super-G, Bormio, Italy, streaming on skiandsnowboard.live
12:30 p.m. FIS Alpine World Cup, Women's Slalom, second run, Semmering, Austria, streaming on NBC/Peacock.
