09:35
Lara Gut-Behrami (SUI)
The next top favorite is already on her way. Lara Gut-Behrami drives it very cleverly and also masters the difficulties very smoothly. But then the Ticino woman carried it a bit far away when swinging to the right. So in the end it is 15 hundredths too slow.
09:33
Valérie Grenier (CAN)
Then last year’s winner sets off. And with the good memories in her luggage, Valérie Grenier is off to a strong start. The Canadian takes a lot of risks, but it only works out in the middle of the run. Then the 27-year-old comes off the line and has to travel long distances. In the end you are 35 hundredths short.
09:31
Petra Vlhova (SVK)
Now Petra Vlhová is putting the benchmark to the test. The Slovakian tries to keep a tight line, but perhaps doesn’t release the skis very well at first. But then the 2019 world champion gets better and better and catches up more and more. And just at the finish she is suddenly ahead – by a paltry two hundredths.
09:30
Federica Brignone (ITA)
Now Federica Brignone opens the women’s giant slalom in Kranjska Gora. 63 athletes from 18 nations want to take part in the competition. Things are still looking pretty good for the Italian, the virgin slope offers her decent conditions. The 33-year-old implements this visually quite well, masters the demanding course and sets the first time.
09:29
Conditions
Difficult conditions prevail in Upper Carniola. It rained heavily overnight – and still does. The piste is quite soft, which could be an additional advantage for early start numbers. The temperatures are just above freezing.
09:27
favorites
In addition to Lara Gut-Berhrami, there are other big favorites. So we are particularly looking at Federica Brignone (start number 1), the leader in the giant slalom World Cup, who has already won two races this season. And then of course there is the reigning world champion Mikaela Shiffrin (5), the last winner from Lienz. Of course we don’t want to forget Petra Vlhová (2). IN THE back of our minds we still have the Olympic champion Sara Hector.
09:23
Eight Swiss women
In Switzerland, of course, they rely primarily on Lara Gut-Behrami (start number 4). The Ticino woman was world champion in 2021 and Olympic bronze medalist in 2022 and has already won two races this season in this discipline. Frequent rider Michelle Gisin (16) is certainly not as strong in the giant slalom. And then the level gradually drops. Camille Rast (28) can definitely make it into the top 15 on a good day. Andrea Ellenberger (29) needs a result this winter. Jasmine Flury (31) is more of a speed rider. Mélanie Meillard (35) is better at slalom. There are a total of eight Swiss women there.
09:16
Quantity instead of class
The Austrians are quantitatively better positioned and have an impressive ten athletes at the start. But there is no candidate for victory in the giant slalom anywhere in sight. At best, there is potential for the top 10 with Franziska Gritsch (start number 14), Julia Scheib (17), Katharina Liensberger (20), Stephanie Brunner (21), Ricarda Haaser (23) and Elisabeth Kappaurer (24). We will take care of the other ÖSV drivers during the course of the competition.
09:06
German duo
From the perspective of German women, the giant slalom has been seen as an absolute problem discipline since Viktoria Rebensburg’s resignation. The DSV is a long way from being at the top of the world here. There are also only two starters, first of all the all-rounder Emma Aicher (start number 53), who is sixteenth in Tremblant. Fabiana Dorigo (54) starts immediately afterwards. The 25-year-old from Munich recently made her World Cup season debut in Lienz and is contesting her fifth World Cup race today.
08:57
Daily task
We are located in the Podkoren district. Today’s competition takes place on one of the slopes of the same name, Podkoren 3. From the start at 1,181 meters you have to climb 326 meters down into the valley. Giorgio Pavoni’s course shows the way. The Italian has scored 41 goals.
08:47
Kranjska Gora
Today, alpine skiers are also holding their first World Cup races of the new calendar year. The women traveled to Kranjska Gora, Slovenia. The ski area is located on Vitranc, the city’s local mountain, and extends up to an altitude of 1,500 meters with 20 slopes and 13 lifts.
Welcome!
Hello and welcome to the women’s giant slalom from Kranjska Gora! The live ticker begins in time before the start of the race.