Mikaela Shiffrin is in a league of her own in Levi‘s. Camille Rast (5th) and Mélanie Meillard (7th) also make an impact.
The podium
- 1. Mikaela Shiffrin (USA) 1:47.20 minutes
- 2. Katharina Liensberger (AUT) +0,79 s
- 3. Lena Dürr (GER) +0.83
When the women compete in slalom in Levi, the winner is either Mikaela Shiffrin or Petra Vlhova. The trend that has been going on since 2014, when Tina Maze won in Lapland, continues this year. In the absence of the injured Slovakian, Shiffrin gave another impressive performance for her class and won her 98th World Cup victory.
The American continued in her flagship discipline where she left off last season with four consecutive successes. In Levi she won for the 8th time in her career.
Shiffrin came closest to Katharina Liensberger, who worked her way up from 4th to 2nd and, like a year ago (3rd), was able to achieve a podium finish. On the other hand, Lena Dürr lost one place and had to settle for 3rd place, 4 hundredths behind the Austrian.
Women of Switzerland
- 5. Camille Rast +1.31
- 7. Mélanie Maillard +1.43
- 16. Wendy Holdener +2,75
- 24. Michelle Gisin +3.39
- Not in the 2nd run: Elena Stoffel (31st), Aline Danioth (40th), Aline Höpli (48th), Janine Mächler (53rd), Nicole Good (out)
Thanks to a courageous drive in the second half, Camille Rast, who was 7th at half time, also had a chance. the race began, could temporarily flirt with a podium place. The 25-year-old finished 5th, 5 tenths short of the podium. Last winter, Rast finished in the top 5 in the slalom three times.
Mélanie Meillard, another Swiss woman, caused a stir. Like Rast, the light turned green at the end after her second run. In 7th place she again showed that she has Levi’s hang. After 2016, 2017, 2020 and 2023, it was the fifth top 10 Meillard placement in northern Finland.
Like Sölden, Wendy Holdener barely got any sleep that night. That is probably why the Schwyzerin failed to progress in the first slalom after her long injury break. The first run (13th) did not meet her high expectations, and in the second she fell behind the top 15. Michelle Gisin, who fell from 11th to 24th, was completely out of place and off the agenda.
Aline Danioth, the second returner alongside Holdener, was happy. Her fourth cruciate ligament tear has prevented her from competing in the World Cup since January 2023. The woman from Uri missed the second run in 40th place, but she didn’t want to be upset about it for long. «It’s nice to be back. “It’s all very emotional today,” she said. She has confidence in the challenges ahead.
This is how it continues
On Sunday the men celebrate the start of the slalom in Levi. Next weekend the pole artists are going to Gurgl (AUT). As happened in Levi, the women drive on Saturday, the men on Sunday.
What makes Mikaela Shiffrin a dominant force in alpine skiing?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Skiing Expert
Time.news Editor: Welcome, everyone! Today we have a special guest, skiing analyst and expert, Dr. Emily Hartman, to discuss the recent slalom competition in Levi where Mikaela Shiffrin once again proved her dominance. Emily, thanks for joining us!
Dr. Emily Hartman: Thank you for having me! It’s great to be here to discuss such an exciting event in the alpine skiing world.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. Shiffrin secured her 98th World Cup victory, which is quite an impressive milestone. What does this say about her current form and legacy in the sport?
Dr. Hartman: Mikaela Shiffrin is truly in a league of her own. Securing 98 wins is a monumental achievement, and it underscores not only her talent but also her work ethic and mental fortitude. Winning in Levi for the eighth time reinforces her dominance in slalom; she has trained meticulously and has a natural ability that sets her apart from her competitors.
Editor: It’s interesting to note that the trend since 2014 has been that the winners are either Shiffrin or Petra Vlhova. With Vlhova sidelined due to injury, how does that change the competitive landscape for upcoming races?
Dr. Hartman: Vlhova’s absence certainly makes a difference; she has been one of the few skiers capable of challenging Shiffrin consistently. Without her, Shiffrin has less immediate competition, which might affect the race dynamics. Other athletes, like Katharina Liensberger, are stepping up, but they still have a long way to go to consistently threaten Shiffrin’s position at the top.
Editor: Speaking of Katharina Liensberger, she moved up from fourth to take second place in Levi. What can you tell us about her performance and potential moving forward?
Dr. Hartman: Liensberger’s performance was commendable. Her ability to improve from fourth to second reflects not just tactical skill but also resilience under pressure. If she can build on this momentum, she might establish herself as a serious contender for more podium finishes. It will be interesting to see how she approaches upcoming races, especially with this confidence boost.
Editor: And let’s not forget about the Swiss skiers—Camille Rast and Mélanie Meillard also made notable impacts, finishing fifth and seventh, respectively. What does their performance signify for Swiss skiing?
Dr. Hartman: Switzerland has a rich skiing tradition, and seeing Rast and Meillard perform well is promising for the future. Their strong finishes indicate a growing depth in Swiss women’s skiing. If they can continue to improve and challenge for podiums regularly, it will elevate the competition and inspire upcoming athletes in Switzerland.
Editor: As we look ahead in the ski season, what should we keep an eye on? Any emerging competitors or trends you anticipate?
Dr. Hartman: Absolutely! We should watch for athletes like Liensberger and even younger competitors who may surprise us as the season progresses. Additionally, we might see more fierce competitions as skiers adjust to conditions and learn from each race. Keep an eye on the various World Cup events; each one will provide new insights into the potential shift in rankings and possibly even more milestones for stars like Shiffrin.
Editor: Thank you so much for your insights, Emily! It’s always a pleasure to get your take on the skiing world. We look forward to seeing how the season unfolds!
Dr. Hartman: Thank you! I’m excited as well; it’s going to be an exhilarating season for sure!