Vonn let out a big celebration, pumping her poles and screaming before kissing her skis.
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Although Vonn specializes in the speed of downhill and super-G, this is her fourth win in giant slalom. “I think I may have given away too much time there, but still I was attacking the whole time trying to arc and I was fast”.
Austrian veteran Michaela Kirchgasser was third, 0.57 back.
VAL D’ISERE, France – Henrik Kristoffersen of Norway easily protected his lead from the first run to win the opening World Cup slalom race of the season on Sunday, beating Marcel Hirscher of Austria by 1.09 seconds and taking the first round in what promises to be a fascinating contest for the overall slalom title.
Shiffrin’s manager Kilian Albrecht tells The Associated Press that Shiffrin “basically flipped over into the net” and will not race Saturday. Albrecht stated the MRI will “probably take a while”.
This is a significant change in pace for the women’s World Cup slalom field because – until now – Hansdotter and Shiffrin were the only two women with slalom wins over the previous two seasons.
Overall World Cup leader Lindsey Vonn also sat out, as she no longer races slalom. Runs were shortened because of strong wind, but Vonn found familiarity in a nighttime performance.
With little sun at the resort located near the Arctic Circle, artificial lights were turned on to enable skiers to see the course. According to USA Today, Vonn commented that it reminded her of growing up in Minnesota and her after-school training runs. I love racing here in Are under the lights.
Vonn trailed Hansdotter at the final interval but made up time over the last few gates.
Olympic slalom champion Mikaela Shiffrin is going home to the United States for medical care after injuring her right knee while warming up for a World Cup giant slalom in Are, Sweden. The Swede has been on every World Cup slalom podium so far this season, and this additional second-place finish ties her with fellow countrywoman Pernilla Wiberg for the most second-place finishes (14) in the discipline ever.
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“I watched playback of that win yesterday evening and I had plenty of confidence coming out of Lake Louise”.
