Zrinka Ljutic leads after the first round of the slalom in Semmering. © ANSA / URS FLUEELER
A Croatian youngster set the fastest time in the first run of the women’s slalom at the World Cup in Semmering. Should she achieve her first victory on the big stage, she would break a Croatian curse.
December 29, 2024
From: never
The last time a Croatian, Janica Kostelic, stood at the top of the podium was on March 18, 2006 – since then the women from the Balkans have been longing for a victory in the World Cup. Zrinka Ljutic could put an end to this curse on Sunday; the 20-year-old is looking at a comfortable half-time lead after the first round of the Slalom World Cup in Semmering. Behind the Croatian technician, who found her way best on the course set by her father and coach Amir Ljutic, is the German Lena Dürr (+0.51 seconds) and the Swiss Camille Rast (+0.98).
“I think he is very happy,” said Ljutic in an interview with ORFwhen she was asked about her father. “He was a little nervous because he was setting a course for the first time.” She only followed a simple approach on her way to the best time. “I really just want to attack,” she elaborated. “I think I did a good job and I’m already looking forward to the second round.”
Peterlini is looking at the top 10
The Azzurre, on the other hand, had to rank a little further back, but with Martina Peterlini they have a good chance of a real top placement. The Trentino native is 2.29 seconds behind Ljutic and can at least dream of setting her personal best. So far, the 27-year-old has finished in the top 10 twice. Last March she finished ninth in Saalbach, and three years earlier she raced to seventh place in Jasna.
For the South Tyrolean Vera Tschurtschenthaler (33rd/+3.90) and her teammates Marta Rossetti (32nd/+3.73), Lucrezia Lorenzi (36th/+4.09), Lara della Mea (41st/+4 .42) and Giorgia Collomb (43./+4.58) were not enough for the final. The starting shot for the second round will be at 1:30 p.m.
