In the first Slalom race without Petra Vlhova and Mikaela Shiffrin Anna Swenn Larsson imposed her experience and regained physical fitness to win today´s race in Soldeu beating Croatian Rising star Zrinka Ljutic by 0.35 seconds. Paula Moltzan rounded up the podium in third place 0.83 seconds off the pace.
It´s her second victory in the World Cup and her 11 podium in Slalom. Her previous win was a shared triumph with Wendy Holdener in Killington last season.
The eight previous Women's World Cup Slalom races this season were won by Mikaela Shiffrin (5) and Petra Vlhová (3). Each of the last 10 women's World Cup slalom events was either won by Mikaela Shiffrin (6) or Petra Vlhová (4). This streak began after a victory by Lena Dürr in Špindleruv Mlýn on January 29, 2023, and ends with today's win by Anna Swenn Larsson.
"It's a dream come true and even if it was so nice to share the first victory with Wendy, it's special to stand on the top by yourself as well. From not qualifying in Levi to standing on the top, it's amazing. It's a journey and I'm so proud of myself. Sadly, two queens are not here but I'm so happy to grab a victory", Swenn Larsson said.
The 20-year-old Croatian rising star Zrinka Ljutic finished in second place. It's her second podium in the Alpine Ski World Cup this season after finishing second behind Shiffrin in Jasna in January. It´s her third podium in the World Cup. On January 29, 2023, she finished in third place in Špindleruv Mlýn.
"I was hoping for it today, of course, but I have time, it doesn't really matter. It's so cool to have two podiums in a row" Ljutic said.
Paula Moltzan achieved today her third podium in the World Cup, her second one in Slalom, and the first one this season. Moltzan earned her maiden podium in Lech Zürs in the Parallel back in 2022.
"It's been a season of highs and lows. I'm so happy to finally take a step on the podium. Although we're missing lots of top competitors, I don't think it discounts anything today, the emotions are all there", Moltzan said.
21-year-old Chiara Pogneaux set the best time in the second run and gained 20 places to finish tenth.
With only two Slalom events left, Mikaela Shiffrin can claim this season's Slalom Crystal Globe in Ã…re, Sweden, the place where she won her first World Cup race 12 years before even if she doesn't compete. Shiffrin could claim her 16th Crystal Globe and a record-extending eighth in the women's Slalom.
Shiffrin (630) leads Petra Vlhová (out for the rest of the season) by 125 points and has a 188-point lead over Lena Dürr (402).