Germany’s young star Emma Aicher secured her best career placement in this discipline to date at the Giant Slalom World Cup in Tremblant, Canada, but like her teammates had no chance in the fight for the podium.
With the victory of the outstanding New Zealander Alice Robinson (2:16.18), the 22-year-old (Mahlstetten) finished twelfth (+2.28) and secured a place in the top 15 for the first time. Lena Dürr, however, had to settle for 21st place after her strong performance the previous week.
In the third giant slalom of the winter, Robinson, who had already triumphed in Copper Mountain, showed no weakness and won with a big lead over Zrinka Ljutic (Croatia/+0.94) and local hero Valerie Grenier (Canada/+1). Superstar Mikaela Shiffrin fell from third to sixth place in the second round.
Aicher, who already celebrated a surprising third place in the Slalom in Levi this season, celebrated her best result to date in the giant slalom almost two years ago in Kranjska Gora, Slovakia (16th place). In the Canadian province of Québec, the 22-year-old showed a courageous performance in difficult conditions and also impressed in her weakest discipline in the World Cup to date.
Lena Dürr, on the other hand, was unable to build on her previous appearances. In the second run, the slalom specialist, who had celebrated her career best in the giant slalom at the last World Cup stop, fell two further places to 21st place (+3.01).
In any case, many of the co-favorites had a difficult time in the first round, including Julia Scheib, who was leading in the discipline rankings, and suffered an early exit. The ski racers will have a chance to make amends on Sunday, when a second giant slalom will take place in Canada at 4:00 p.m./7:00 p.m. CET.