Under the lights of the Émile-Allais Stadium racecourse in Courchevel, Petra Vlhova has returned to the top of the podium in a Slalom event. It's her second win and third podium of the season in the discipline. It's her 30th World Cup victory.
The Slalom battle between Petra Vlhova and Mikaela leaned on the Slovak's side this time. After making a mistake in the first run that relegated her to second position, Vlhova attacked decisively in the second run under the fog to beat Shiffrin by 0.24 seconds. Katharina Truppe finished in third position (+2.06).
The 28-year-old skier is now joint-fourth alongside with Erika Hess with 21 wins in the all-time women's ranking for most World Cup Slalom wins, behind Mikaela Shiffrin (53), Marlies Schild (35), Vreni Schneider (34).
"The win means a lot to me. In the last races I was always there but something was missing. I don't want to say 'finally', but after Levi, after the DNF, I was a little bit angry. In the first run I made a few mistakes on the steep section. In the second run I just wanted to ski cleanly and not think about the first run anymore. I’m glad it turned out that way", Vlhova said.
Shiffrin with 140 podiums is in second place all-time for most Alpine Ski World Cup podiums. Ingemar Stenmark with 155 holds the record. Only Stenmark (81) has recorded as many podiums in Slalom as Shiffrin (79).
“I didn't see Petra's second run, but I'm sure she did very well. I'm happy with second place and how I coped with the slope conditions. I haven’t always managed to do that when it’s so soft" Shiffrin said.
Mikaela Shiffrin and Petra Vlhová have recorded a 1-2 finish in 23 Alpine Ski World Cup Slalom events. Shiffrin beated ahead of Vlhová 13 times and it was the other way around 10 times.
Mikaela Shiffrin and/or Petra Vlhová finished on the podium in each of the last 12 World Cup Slalom events (6 wins for Shiffrin, 4 for Vlhová).
"I think our rivalry is really good for the sport. We push each other all the time, our skiing reaches a higher level as a result, we get better and better", Vlhova said.
Katharina Truppe achieved today her 4th World Cup podium in Slalom. The last time she finished in the Top-3 was last season in Killington. The 27-year-old lead a strong Austrian Team with Katharina Gallhuber (4th), Katharina Huber and Franziska Gritsch (11th), and Katharina Liensberger (18th).
"The last few races weren’t easy. I never thought I would give myself a present like this for Christmas. I'm going to enjoy this today. These are moments that will be remembered", Truppe said.
The next Women's races are scheduled just after Christmas with the Alpine Ski World Cup in Lienz on December 28 (Giant Slalom), and 29 (Slalom).
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