Skiing – Petra Vlhová today – preview before the slalom in Levi – ŠPORT.sk

The American Mikaele Shiffrinová and the Slovak Petra Vlhová twice managed to triumph. Vlhová also took one third and one second place, Shiffrin two second places. It happened to both of them once that they would not be on stage. Vlhová dropped in the 2nd round in 2019 and Shiffrin finished fifth last season. The American woman won in Finland in 2013 as well, finishing third the year before.

The view of Shiffrin’s triumphs is interesting. In Levi she always won with a bigger lead, Petra Vlhová’s victories were tight again.

Slalom races in Levi have been a traditional introductory event of the most spinning discipline since the 2016/17 season. In the previous year, however, they switched to a new model, not only one slalom, but two slaloms. Petra Vlhová managed the difficult weekend to take over the competitors the best a year ago, when she managed to triumph on both days.

Beyond the Arctic Circle, in the position of defender of the championships, as a holder of a large globe, Slovenka will undoubtedly be one of the favorites, not this time two, but three. The second is the already mentioned Mikaela Shiffrin.

Photo gallery

Petra Vlhová.

Source: SITA

The Austrian will try to break the hegemony of the two giants Katharina Liensberger. The holder of a small slalom globe from last season shot in full force at her end, when she triumphed at the world championships and also in the last two events. A young 24-year-old native of Tyrol has shown that she can not only compete, but also defeat Vlhová and Shiffrin.

However, it is necessary to add one but. At the end of the season, the Slovak skier was extremely exhausted, as she attended all the events, while Shiffrin did not have a full-fledged summer training and was not in top form. However, Liensberger’s performance growth has been extremely observable and it will be interesting to see if it continues in the new year. She knows what it’s like to be on stage in Levi, she took two third places last year.

Photo gallery

Katharina Liensberger

Source: SITA / AP

Attacking the three favorites will be Wendy Holdener. The Swiss woman was never in the top five at the time.

At the beginning of October, however, she broke the dice in both wrists and missed the first events. Last Friday, however, she received a green light from the doctors for training and decided to stand at the start in Levi. However, what form it will be after a long break is very questionable.

Another huge question mark hangs over Anna Swenn-Larsson. The Swede returns after a long break caused by injury and health problems, the last time she skied in competition last February. However, she worked hard to return and worked out in training. He probably won’t be among the three favorites, but podium finishes this season wouldn’t be a surprise.

We don’t end with skis with a question mark. Switzerland Michelle Gisin she has had a difficult period, she has overcome coronavirus and subsequently mononucleosis. She found it difficult to get back in shape, but she is ready to prove her qualities on the slopes. Pleasant memories could emerge in Levi, she finished second a year ago.

Read also

A 90-year-old grandmother overtakes me on a walk. Rival Vlhova is recovering …

In the first fifteen we will find other skiers that may surprise, but the podium placement is not expected from them. Whether it’s Martina Dubovská, Ana Buciková, Kristin Lysdahlová, Lena Duerrová or Paula Moltaznová. The circle of favorites in women’s slalom is narrow, but the second sequence is gradually leveling out and expanding.

Slalom in Levi starts on Saturday and Sunday from 10.30, the 2nd round is on the program from 13.30 on both days.