She is Austria’s bright spot for the World Cup slalom

Mikaela Shiffrin was second in the slalom from Spindlermühle (Czee) to the fastest Lena Dürr and thus to her 86th World Cup success, Ingemar Stenmark’s record, six hundredths. “I had to take the risk, Lena deserved the win,” said the American half-time leader, who made an unusually large number of mistakes. The 27-year-old was able to console herself by winning the slalom crystal ball early.

While Dürr celebrated the first slalom victory by a German since Maria Höfl-Riesch in 2012 and third-placed Croatian Zrinka Ljutic (+0.49) was on a World Cup podium for the first time, the Austrians had nothing to do with the decision. The only red-white-red call was made by Franziska Gritsch (+1.55), who with the best time in the second run moved up from 20th to sixth place.

“At the World Cup, the first three count. I see myself as an outsider and would like to take the next step there,” said the ÖSV technician who is currently in the best form after her third best time of the season in a single run. “My shape curve is always uphill this year,” says Gritsch, who is set for the World Cup slalom.

The ÖSV decides on Monday

The ÖSV women drive with restrained hopes at the world championships starting on February 6th in Courchevel/Meribel (Fra) for a slalom podium place – they probably do this with Katharina Liensberger, Katharina Truppe, Katharina Huber and Gritsch.

“Setting up the slalom is not a big feat,” said racing director Thomas Trinker. How many start in the slalom is only fixed after the ÖSV internal determination of the quota places on Monday.

While Huber, who was eleventh in Spindlermühle, used the last race before the World Championships for self-promotion, defending World Championship champion Liensberger (26th) once again showed her uncertainty. Troop did not get past rank 15.