Shiffrin, who can equal Austrian Annemarie Moser-Pröll’s record six total triumphs in the WC, was the only one to go under one minute and six seconds in the opening round. She was 22 hundredths ahead of Alice Robinson from New Zealand, who won in Sölden five years ago.
The winner of last season’s final giant slalom, Brignone was third, but in the second round she erased the loss and won by 17 hundredths ahead of Robinson. The thirty-four-year-old Italian dominated the 28th cup race, including the thirteenth giant slalom.
For the first time in the WC, the third Austrian Julia Scheibová reached the podium, the best time of the second round catapulted the American Katie Hensienová into the elite ten for the first time. She surpassed her famous compatriot Shiffrin by a tenth of a second.
Lara Gutová-Behramiová, who was the best in the giant slalom last year, was finally missing from the start. The Swiss skier explained shortly before the race that she still does not feel 100% healthy, but did not say whether it was related to the problematic knee or the recent flu.
Jelínková lost 69 hundredths of a second in the top 30. In the last SP season, the Czech skier scored three points in the giant slalom, which is her main discipline. However, she did not succeed in Sölden a year ago, when she finished in 38th place.
On Sunday, the men’s giant slalom will be held in the Austrian winter resort.
World Cup Giant Slalom: The Good, The Bad, and The Brignone
Welcome to the rollercoaster of emotions that is the World Cup Giant Slalom! In Sölden, we witnessed a bunch of skiers carving their way down the icy slopes… and one rather talented woman, who just can’t seem to lose—Mikaela Shiffrin. Just think about it: she can equal Annemarie Moser-Pröll’s legendary record of six total triumphs. If that’s not impressive, I don’t know what is. Heaven knows I can barely get out of bed before my morning coffee, let alone outperform a bunch of world-class athletes on a slippery mountain!
Shiffrin set the pace in the opening round, clocking a dizzying time under one minute and six seconds. Now, let me tell you, being just 22 hundredths of a second ahead of Alice Robinson from New Zealand—who, by the way, seems to have taken a five-year vacation from victory until, well, now—isn’t a small feat. It’s like beating your mate in a game of Monopoly and then realizing they own Park Lane and Mayfair. Talk about a close shave!
Then we had the delightful turn of events: Federica Brignone, the reigning queen of the giant slalom from last season, decided that third place was just a warm-up for her. In an absolutely thrilling second round, she decided to wake up and smell the coffee, finishing 17 hundredths of a second ahead of Robinson. This Italian sensation went ahead and snatched glory like she was grabbing the last slice of pizza—swift, decisive, and frankly, a little messy! And let’s not get started on how many cups of espresso she must have downed to pull that off.
And just when you thought it couldn’t get any more exciting, we had Julia Scheibová, the third Austrian, who finally climbed onto the podium! Bravo, Julia! Someone call the Muppets—it’s a feel-good story that could fill a whole musical. Meanwhile, Katie Hensienová catapulted herself into the elite ten, surpassing the great Shiffrin by a mere tenth of a second. Can you imagine that? It’s a bit like your buddy taking a pee right next to you and somehow claiming they were more accurate than you. Unbelievable!
Now, I’d be remiss if I didn’t address the elephant in the room—Lara Gutová-Behramiová. Where was she, you ask? The reigning champion decided to sit this one out because she’s feeling under the weather. From a problematic knee to a bit of flu—she’s playing the injury card like it’s going out of style! Come on, Lara! This is the World Cup! You can’t just take sick days! That’s not how it works! Get yourself a hot cup of chicken soup and get out there!
Speaking of not doing well, let’s chat about Jelínková who apparently lost a full 69 hundredths of a second when placed in the top 30. That’s as useful as a chocolate teapot in a sauna! Looking back at the last season, she managed to score just three points in her main discipline. Talk about underwhelming—that’s like asking for a box of chocolates and getting a bag of rocks instead! But hey, they say every cloud has a silver lining. Maybe next time, she can channel the spirit of the ski gods!
So what’s next? Well, brace yourselvesfolks, because come Sunday, we’re in for a treat: the men’s giant slalom in this picturesque Austrian resort! It should be equally chaotic—just like a family reunion after the lockdown. Don’t miss it!
Results at a Glance
| Position | Name | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brignone (It.) | 2:16.05 (1:06.22 + 1:09.83) |
| 2 | Robinson (N.Z.) | -0.17 (1:06.04 + 1:10.18) |
| 3 | Scheib (Austria) | -1.08 (1:08.23 + 1:08.90) |
| 4 | Hensien (USA) | -1.11 (1:08.32 + 1:08.84) |
| 5 | Shiffrin (USA) | -1.21 (1:05.82 + 1:11.44) |
| 6 | Stjernesund (Nor.) | -1.38 (1:06.51 + 1:10.92) |
| 46 | Jelínková (CZ) | 1:10.31 |
There you have it, folks. Until next time, may your ski poles be steady, your turns be tight, and your sense of humor as sharp as the edges of your skis!
Mikaela Shiffrin is poised to match Austrian skiing legend Annemarie Moser-Pröll’s impressive record of six total victories in the World Cup, having blazed through the opening round by being the only competitor to clock in under one minute and six seconds. She finished with an impressive time that placed her 22 hundredths of a second ahead of New Zealand’s Alice Robinson, the 2018 Sölden champion.
After finishing third in the opening round, Italy’s Federica Brignone made a dramatic comeback in the second round, ultimately clinching victory with a time that edged Robinson by a narrow 17 hundredths of a second. At 34 years old, Brignone showcased her experience and skill, dominating what was the 28th Cup race of her career, including her thirteenth giant slalom title.
In a significant achievement, Julia Scheibová became the first Austrian woman this season to reach the podium, thanks to her outstanding performance in the second round. Meanwhile, American newcomer Katie Hensienová impressed onlookers by launching herself into the elite top ten for the first time ever, surpassing the renowned Shiffrin by a mere tenth of a second with a remarkable finish.
Meanwhile, Swiss skier Lara Gutová-Behramiová, the reigning giant slalom champion, was notably absent from the competition. She cited ongoing health issues as the reason for her withdrawal shortly before the race, leaving fans speculating if her condition was tied to her troublesome knee or recent flu symptoms.
Jelínková encountered difficulties, as she lost a considerable 69 hundredths of a second during the top 30 cut. In the previous World Cup season, this Czech athlete managed to secure three points in her primary discipline, giant slalom, yet faced a setback last year in Sölden, where she placed 38th.
On Sunday, the excitement continues with the men’s giant slalom taking center stage at the renowned Austrian winter resort.
Interview with Skiing Analyst Peter Lawson
Host: Welcome, everyone! Today, we’re diving deep into the thrilling results of the World Cup Giant Slalom in Sölden. We have skiing analyst Peter Lawson with us to break down the races. Peter, thanks for joining us!
Peter Lawson: Happy to be here! What an exhilarating start to the season!
Host: No kidding! Let’s kick off with Mikaela Shiffrin. She had an incredible performance in the opening round, setting the stage to potentially match Annemarie Moser-Pröll’s record. What did you think of her run?
Peter Lawson: It was truly remarkable, wasn’t it? Shiffrin’s ability to clock under one minute and six seconds showcased her power and technique on the slopes. Being just 22 hundredths ahead of Alice Robinson adds to the suspense and excitement. The pressure is on her, but she thrives in those situations.
Host: Speaking of pressure, Federica Brignone really turned things around in the second round. What does her victory say about her as an athlete?
Peter Lawson: Brignone’s comeback is a testament to her resilience and experience. After starting in third, she didn’t let the previous round’s performance deter her. Outpacing Robinson by 17 hundredths of a second shows her strategic prowess and confidence. At 34, she proves that age doesn’t diminish competitive spirit—she’s still a formidable force.
Host: Absolutely! And how about Julia Scheibová? She made history by reaching the podium for the first time.
Peter Lawson: Scheibová’s performance is a significant achievement for her and Austrian skiing! podium presence speaks volumes about her potential and the strength of the upcoming generation of skiers in Austria. It’s always inspiring to see new talent break through.
Host: Katie Hensienová had her moment too, didn’t she? Breaking into the elite ten and surpassing Shiffrin by a tenth of a second!
Peter Lawson: Incredible! Hensienová’s trajectory is on the rise, and that split-second ahead of Shiffrin is a massive confidence boost. It indicates that she’s ready to be a regular contender at this level.
Host: Now onto a more somber note—Lara Gutová-Behramiová’s absence. There’s been some uncertainty around her health. What impact does that have on the competition?
Peter Lawson: It’s a big loss not just for her but for the whole competition. A reigning champion stepping back can shift the dynamics, opening up opportunities for others. It’s crucial for athletes to prioritize their health, but her absence makes for an unpredictable field.
Host: Lastly, what do you expect from the men’s giant slalom coming up this Sunday?
Peter Lawson: It’s going to be a thrilling race! The men’s competition is typically full of surprises, and with so many talented skiers, viewers shouldn’t miss it. The pressure will be on, and we might see some emerging stars, just like in the women’s race!
Host: Thanks so much for your insights, Peter! We look forward to the men’s race and all the excitement it brings.
Peter Lawson: Thank you! Excited to see how it unfolds!
Host: That’s a wrap for our interview today. Stay tuned folks, as we continue to bring you all the latest from the World Cup circuit!
T she’s ready to challenge the established names in skiing. It’s a thrilling snapshot of how competitive this sport is becoming, especially with younger talents stepping up.
Host: Speaking of the challenges ahead, there’s been some concern about Lara Gutová-Behrami. Her absence from the competition raised quite a few eyebrows. How does her health impact the season?
Peter Lawson: Lara’s situation is definitely concerning. With her being the reigning champion in giant slalom, her absence creates a gap along with the drama of competition. Whether it’s related to her knee or her recent flu, it’s essential for her to prioritize health. We’ll see how this affects her fitness moving forward, especially if she’s aiming to defend her title.
Host: Lastly, let’s touch on Jelínková. She seems to be struggling to find her footing this season. What’s your take on her current performance?
Peter Lawson: Jelínková has faced some tough challenges lately, but skiing is a sport of ups and downs. It’s important for her to stay focused and use the experience gained from this season to bounce back. The key is resilience—every athlete goes through rough patches, and it’s how they respond that ultimately shapes their careers.
Host: Great insights, Peter! As we look forward to the men’s giant slalom coming up, what should we keep an eye on?
Peter Lawson: Expect fierce competition! The men’s race will bring its own set of challenges and excitement. Key athletes will be looking to make a statement early in the season, and I anticipate some surprising outcomes. It’s going to be another thrilling event—just like today!
Host: Thank you, Peter, for your valuable analysis! We can’t wait to see what unfolds in the upcoming races.
Peter Lawson: It’s been a pleasure! Let’s keep our gear ready and our spirits high for what’s to come!
