On a demanding course in Sestriere, Petra Vlhova is in the lead after the first giant slalom run. A total of six drivers have good chances of a podium finish.
Lots of shots, difficult light conditions, plus a challenging course – the first round of the World Cup giant slalom in Sestriere, Italy, demanded everything from the riders. Petra Vlhova got along best with it. After the first round, the Slovakian leads just ahead of Marta Bassino from Italy (+ 0.07 seconds) and Tessa Worley from France (+ 0.40).
Vlhova leaves battered slopes cold
Vlhova started the race with start number five – and by then the track was badly battered and had deteriorated. A lot of shots gave the riders problems, especially in the second section of the course the starters with the early start numbers had a clear advantage. But Vlhova was not impressed. At the top with a clear best time, she defended a small lead to the finish.
Bassino, Worley, but also Mikaela Shiffrin (USA / + 0.44), Ragnhild Mowinckel (Norway / + 0.47) and Sara Hector (Sweden / + 0.50) are still within striking distance and can in the second run (1.30 p.m ) nor attack the podium places.
Disaster for the ÖSV
The ski nation of Austria is experiencing a small disaster: Ricarda Haaser, the best ÖSV runner, is only ranked 16th. Your gap to the leading Vlhova is 2.23 seconds.