10:31
Marta Bassino (ITA)
Here we go! Marta Bassino is allowed to open the giant slalom in Sestriere and use the best slope conditions with start number one. The Italian can’t get through without Strauchler, but overall she hits a nice line and drives technically flawlessly. With a time of 1:12.37 minutes, she sets the first benchmark.
10:23
Imperial weather in Piedmont
The weather is at its best in Sestriere, a town in the Piedmont region of Italy. At five degrees below freezing, the sun is shining in the sky – everything is set for an exciting competition!
10:10
Who are the favourites?
Of course you have to have Lara Gut-Behrami on the list again. Sara Hector from Sweden has been among the absolute best since last season at the latest and would like to fight for the day’s victory like Tessa Worley from France. Marta Bassino and Federica Brignone will also be particularly motivated at the home World Cup on Italian soil. And the all-rounders Mikaela Shiffrin from the USA and Petra Vlhová from Slovakia always strive for the greatest possible success.
09:59
Gut-Behrami leads the Swiss team
The situation in the Swiss team is much more relaxed. Lara Gut-Behrami (car number 12) won the opening giant slalom in Killington and thus immediately took some pressure off the kettle. Michelle Gisin (11), Wendy Holdener (16) and Camille Rast (21) are also able to attack the front positions at any time. Andrea Ellenberger (24), Simone Wild (26), Vivianne Härri (39), Vanessa Kasper (42), Melanie Meillard (51) and Lorina Zelger (60) also follow with later starting times.
09:46
When does the black ÖSV series end?
But the Austrians have also been waiting for the big hit in the giant slalom for what feels like an eternity. Since March 2016 and Eva-Maria Brem’s World Cup victory in Jasná, no ÖSV runner has made it to the top of the podium in this discipline. Katharina Truppe (car number 9), Ramona Siebenhofer (13) and Katharina Liensberger (14) are most likely to be able to end this dry spell. Ricarda Haaser (18), Stephanie Brunner (25), Katharina Huber (27), Franziska Gritsch (29), Elisa Mörzinger (34), Elisabeth Kappaurer (46), Magdalena Egger (47) and Nina Astner (49) complete the team from the Alpine Republic.
09:38
German duo with big numbers
If there is an Achilles heel in the women’s team of the German Ski Association, then it is definitely the giant slalom. Last winter, all DSV runners collected a measly three World Cup points and the black, red and gold camp went completely empty in the first competition of the new season. This time Andrea Filser (car number 44) and Jessica Hilzinger (59) are trying to at least qualify for the second race. Emma Aicher is not at the start because of an infection.
09:30
Warm welcome!
Have a wonderful good morning and welcome to the Women’s World Cup in Sestriere, Italy! This weekend, the two technical disciplines are on the program for the athletes. First up is the giant slalom. The first round starts at 10:30 a.m., followed by the final at 1:30 p.m.