[ad_1]
Together with Marlies Raich (formerly Schild), Shiffrin holds the record of four victories in the fight for the “Snow Queen Trophy” in Sljeme on the doorstep of the Croatian capital. Last year, the American missed the record win. At that time Shiffrin had to give way to the Slovak Vlhova. But even a spot on the podium would bring added sparkle to the personal chart, if that were 100th at the World Cup.
With the victory of Gisin, who is also a strong contender for first place in Zagreb, not only did he run a slalom streak in Switzerland that had lasted since January 20, 2002, but for the first time in more than three years the name was not in this discipline. Shiffrin or Vlhova at the top of a hit list. Since the success of Swedish Olympic champion Frida Hansdotter, who has since retired, on January 10, 2017 in Flachau until Gisin’s coup, only the American or Slovakian have won a slalom.
Preview of women’s slalom in Zagreb
The women of ÖSV Torlauf want to show on Sunday in Croatia that they are ready to take the podium again after six years without winning.
The opportunity to restore the previous ranking is also available in Zagreb, due to the coronavirus pandemic without the support of fans. The atmosphere is usually similar to that of a football stadium, said Shiffrin, who highlighted the organization’s efforts to hold the race southeast of Zagreb after the earthquake. “That shows how much they want the race. That is incredible “. The organizers will donate 50,000 euros, in equal parts of the prize money and the budget, for the victims.
Shiffrin is working on the team
As for her slalom form, the winner of 67 World Cup races feels that she has not reached the highest level since the start of last season. You’ve done a lot of work coordinating materials in the last few weeks. “I don’t change teams often, but the little details can make a big difference. I feel like my ski is coming back, ”Shiffrin explained. She nibbled on the Semmering’s bugs. “I was happy for the podium. But the last step is the hardest. Be patient, I tell myself. But not too much. “
In any case, the 100th place on the podium in a World Cup race would take a place in the front field in Shiffrin’s personal ranking. If I had to choose, the January 2020 Downhill and Super-G victories in Bansko, Bulgaria would be at the top of 99 so far. “I was scared and didn’t think I could make it through this course,” Shiffrin recalled, “and it was the last race my dad ever saw.” Jeff Shiffrin died in an accident last February.
Liensberger does not pressure himself
The 25-year-old finished 99th on the podium as third at Semmering before the turn of the year. On Tuesday, Shiffrin had to let Katharina Liensberger go first in addition to the winner Gisin. Vorarlberg’s wife just missed her first World Cup victory in the home race on Austrian soil. In Zagreb, Liensberger is one of the big favorites. What gives hope: Last year, the 23-year-old was third in Sljeme.
“I know that I still have potential and that I can do better. You always find mistakes, and that’s good, that takes you further, ”Liensberger said before the first race in 2021. He has no problem with raising expectations. “I like the pressure, I enjoy it,” says the Vorarlberg native. In Zagreb it rained a lot on Saturday, the organizers are ready to prepare the track with salt. “I like Bear Mountain, it demands everything from you. You need everything you have, ”Liensberger said.
Waiting for an “informal slope”
Katharina Truppe, so far this winter twice – seventh at Levi and sixth at Semmering – traveled to Croatia with confidence. “It is an informal slope, you can expect something. In the end, you still have to step on the gas, ”she knows what is still a problem with her. Katharina Huber took the “attacking flurry” with her from Semmering’s second round and decided not to light fire for long, but to speed up.
Chiara Mair and Franziska Gritsch also want that, because the Cortina d’Ampezzo World Cup is getting closer and closer. “To get a ticket, you have to be able to get on the podium,” Mitter said. And one aspect is the start number. But we are not in such bad shape. ” Sunday’s race will be opened by Mair, followed by Truppe, Vlhova, Gisin, Shiffrin and Liensberger with all six.
