Zrinka Ljutic delivered a smashing efficiency on Sunday, December 29, to say her first-ever World Cup victory in Slalom at Semmering, Austria, breaking an 18-year drought for Croatian ladies within the sport. The 20-year-old skier dominated a difficult, closely rutted course to complete a exceptional 1.75 seconds forward of Germany’s Lena Dürr, with Austria’s Katharina Liensberger delighting the house crowd by taking third.
Ljutic’s win marks the primary World Cup triumph for a Croatian since Janica Kostelic’s victory in 2006. Her commanding efficiency, regardless of the absence of slalom stars Mikaela Shiffrin of america and Petra Vlhova of Slovakia resulting from accidents, cements her standing as a critical contender within the self-discipline.
Taking a 0.51-second lead on Dürr into the second run, Ljutic confronted a monitor battered by earlier rivals. But, she skied with daring confidence, attacking the higher part and steadily constructing her benefit. Even a short misstep halfway down the course couldn’t derail her cost. Crossing the road with the quickest second run, she secured her maiden victory and her sixth profession podium end.
Liensberger thrilled the Austrian followers with a robust second run, momentarily taking the lead earlier than Dürr edged forward by a tenth of a second. However neither might match Ljutic’s blistering tempo because the younger Croatian crossed the end line to a roar of applause, her hole of 1.75 seconds leaving little doubt about her supremacy.
“It was an unimaginable day for me. I’ve been dreaming of this second for therefore lengthy, and to lastly obtain it feels wonderful.”
— Zrinka Ljutic
Switzerland’s Camille Rast narrowly missed the rostrum, ending fourth however reclaiming the highest spot within the general World Cup standings from Italy’s Federica Brignone, who had received Saturday’s large slalom. Ljutic’s victory additionally propelled her into second place within the general standings, simply behind Rast.
The one American to finish two runs on Sunday was AJ Harm, whose gutsy snowboarding earned her 18th place. Identified extra as a Big Slalom specialist, Harm confirmed flashes of brilliance within the second run, recording the sixth-fastest time on the decrease pitch. “The primary run, I used to be undoubtedly simply making an attempt to get again into it,” Harm mirrored. “The second run felt far more like my model of snowboarding, and I’m pleased with it. Final 12 months, I solely completed two slaloms, so that is already a step ahead.”
Harm’s robust displaying comes as a welcome return to type after a difficult 2024 season, the place she managed just one podium end. Her enchancment raises hopes for the upcoming races in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, the place the ladies will compete in an enormous slalom and a slalom subsequent weekend.
Whereas Harm discovered success, her teammates Paula Moltzan, Katie Hensien, and Nina O’Brien didn’t qualify for the second run. Moltzan, who had been pushing arduous on the prime of her first run, straddled a gate and failed to complete. Regardless of their setbacks, the American crew rallied round Harm, cheering her on as she made her World Cup slalom return.
The crew now heads to Toblach, Italy, for a short coaching block to organize for the challenges awaiting in Kranjska Gora.
