Ski racer Lena Dürr is celebrating a furious comeback in Copper Mountain in the USA. With a strong second run she achieved her first podium of the winter. Only slalom dominator Mikaela Shiffrin is faster.
Sometimes it’s a good omen when the course setter is your own coach in the Slalom World Cup, but sometimes it’s also a bad omen: On the one hand, the alpine ski athletes know their coaches’ course ideas and preferences best, but on the other hand, that’s exactly why they could be a little over-motivated as they weave down the slope.
On Sunday evening (November 30th, 2025), the German world-class ski racers Lena Dürr and Emma Aicher had the chance to race through the course of their coach Markus Lenz in the decision in Copper Mountain in the USA. And Dürr succeeded extremely well. She even had her strongest run this ski winter: from ninth place, she improved to second place. Aicher, on the other hand, dropped out after finishing seventh at halftime.
After Giant slalom rank six: Dürr crowns a furious weekend
Lenz had a very fair and turning second run in the US ski area. And Dürr made ideal use of this template: As an emotional skier, she likes this aggressive snow in the USA, took a risk on the slope, which they called “Rosi’s Run” after Rosi Mittermaier (who won there twice), temporarily expanded her lead and ultimately achieved the third-best running time.
In the end, only Mikaela Shiffrin was faster after two rounds – she won with a remarkable 1.57 seconds lead over Dürr. For the 34-year-old from Upper Bavaria, the slalom is the crowning achievement of a furious weekend: Dürr was already fast the day before – in the giant slalom she achieved sixth place, the strongest result of her career.
US star Shiffrin celebrates 104th World Cup success at home – Hilzinger in 22nd place
By the way, she was also quicker than Shiffrin. What changed again on Sunday: the technology dominator of the Ski World Cup was in the lead again – unsurprisingly, of course. The American prefers to win the races at home – this time ahead of Dürr. It was Shiffrin’s 104th World Cup victory. But the series is likely to continue significantly.
In addition to Dürr and Aicher, Jessica Hilzinger was also able to qualify for the second round for the first time this season. After finishing 20th at halftime, the athlete from SC Oberstdorf ended up 22nd and was able to celebrate her first nine World Cup points of the season.