The American left behind her competitors during the first slalom of the season in Levi and will be difficult to beat in the second round. The Swiss were solid but made several errors.
Mikaela Shiffrin is on track for an 8th victory in Levi after a real demonstration during the first round of the slalom on Saturday in Lapland. The American is a little closer to a 100th World Cup victory.
In the absence of her great rival Petra Vlhova, not yet ready for a comeback after her knee injury last season, the field was open for the Vail champion, already victorious here last year. But Mikaela Shiffrin also clearly wanted to erase her disappointing result in Sölden three weeks ago. The German Lena Dürr signed the 2nd best time but with an impressive gap of 0”60, ahead of the Croatian Zrinka Ljutic in 3rd place.
The Swiss had a little more difficulty on the Levi Black. Despite several errors, Camille Rast nevertheless showed fast and powerful skiing over long passages to finish 7th, at the head of the Swiss contingent. Mélanie Meillard, who achieved a good 7th place here last year, proved once again that she enjoys the Finnish snow, finishing 10th ahead of Michelle Gisin in 11th. Ten months after breaking her ankle, Wendy Holdenera posted a solid 13th best time.
Changing conditions on the slopes created problems for skiers with a higher bib. Aline Danioth, marking her return to the World Cup, finished 38th. Nicole Good will not appear in the second round.
SSW
Belgium
