Zrinka Ljutic is the favorite in the race. The Croatian shooting star could become the first slalom World Cup hat-trick winner in 15 years not named Mikaela Shiffrin or Petra Vlhova. At the time, Marlies Schild (now Raich) even celebrated five consecutive victories between 2011 and 2012. After the victories in Semmering and Kranjska Gora, the Croatian’s self-confidence seems enormous.
The 20-year-old recently said she had already felt a hint of power and domination in Slovenia. In the absence of the two convalescing ski greats, she is also the first contender for the title of new “Princess of Snow Space Salzburg” on the Hermann Maier circuit.
Liensberger wants to impress at Flachau
On Tuesday, the women’s ski world cup stops in Flachau. The ÖSV ladies are looking for the exceptional Croatian Zrinka Ljutic. Katharina Liensberger in particular has big plans.
An appointment on the calendar since 2010
This title also brings in a record prize of 59,500 Swiss francs (63,300 euros) this year. In total, 169,000 francs (180,000 euros) will be distributed. World Cup races have been held in Flachau since 1993. The floodlit slalom series began in 2010 and has since become the most popular Women’s World Cup race. In the last six races, either record winner Shiffrin (5 wins at Flachau) or Vlhova (3 wins) received the winner’s check.
“Attack from the start”
Austria has been represented on the podium twice by Liensberger in the recent past. The Vorarlberg native is aiming for this again after second place (2021) and third place (2019), she has a fixed project in the starting house. “It is important that I attack from the start and immediately find the limit,” said the former world champion. So, according to her, the first victory for the ÖSV since Marlies Raich in 2011 is possible. “You need a great day for this, a lot of things need to come together. I know it’s possible. So far, she has triumphed three times in the World Cup.
TV note
Mardi:
Slalom
5:05 p.m.: Countdown
17h45 : 1er tour
6:55 p.m.: Analysis
8:15 p.m.: Countdown
20h45 : 2ème tour
9:50 p.m.: Analysis
Various construction sites
“Sleepy first rounds, good second rounds – maybe it really helps that we go in the evening,” expressed his hope, ÖSV head coach Roland Assinger. However, no serious attention was paid to his thesis on biorhythm during its preparation.
Flachau’s characteristic waves were unexpectedly simulated on a small ski lift slope in Neukirchen am Großvenediger after the weather in Saalbach did not cooperate. Each of the top three worked on their own site: Liensberger for the start, Katharina Huber for the final sprint and Katharina Troupe for the combinations.
There is still plenty of room for improvement
“If you see how Ljutic or Rast goes through the hairpins and verticals, there’s still a lot of time,” Troupe said. With eighth place, the Carinthian, who turns 29 on Wednesday, recently noticed “that I can still ski”. She is looking forward to the home match.
“When I think of Flachau, I get goosebumps. It’s just a cool cauldron, you can hear people screaming in the middle of the steep slope. It’s always a spectacle. Huber finally wants to get his first single-digit result of the season. “The most important thing is that I drive relaxed and free. That I don’t get in my own way and try too hard.
