First Alpine Ski World Cup Slalom Victory for Emma Aicher in Levi
Emma Aicher secured her first career Slalom victory at the Alpine Ski World Cup in Levi. The 23-year-old skier, who celebrated her birthday yesterday, now has 15 World Cup podium finishes and six wins to her credit. The 23-year-old skier had already won two Downhill races and three Super-G races throughout her career. The all-rounder skier earned her first Giant Slalom podium finish in Sölden in October.
Aicher is the first German winner in Levi since Maria Riesch in 2012.
"It feels really good, I have to say. Levi is a cool slope; skiing here is fun. Levi was my first World Cup, my first points, and my first podium in Slalom. But I hadn't expected it to go so well today. I can now build on this good feeling and hopefully continue skiing," Aicher said.
The German skier finished 0.43 seconds ahead of Lara Colturi. This marks the second podium of the season for the skier representing Albania, who also secured second place in the World Cup opener at the Rettenbach glacier.
Emma Aicher and Lara Colturi are the most promising young talents of the new generation, and their rivalry will be one of the season's most exciting storylines.
“It’s a pretty good start, so, of course, I’ll take it. I know I can give a lot more, but this is fine: after all, it’s only the first Slalom race of the season. Emma is an incredible girl; I’ve spent a lot of time with her. I don’t know how she manages to compete in four disciplines—and she’s really good at all four—so, amazingly, she can be at the top in four disciplines,” said Colturi.
Seven years ago, in Levi, Katharina Truppe earned her first podium finish by placing third. Today, Truppe rounded out the podium, 0.50 seconds behind Aicher, after posting the fastest second-run time. This is the 30-year-old Austrian skier’s eighth World Cup podium finish. A mistake in the first run, about 20 seconds after the start, cost Truppe her second World Cup victory. Her only World Cup victory to date came in Åre in March 2025.
“I’ve waited seven years to get back on the podium here. Now I’ve done it. I’m absolutely thrilled. I had a really good run in the second run; I just let my skis glide smoothly and skied without overthinking it. When I saw the green light at the finish line, I was overflowing with joy. It’s been a great day,” said Truppe.
Beyond the trio that reached the podium, Petra Vlhova also had reason to celebrate. The Slovak Olympic champion in Beijing, who suffered a torn cruciate ligament in early 2024, returned to the Slalom World Cup and finished in 16th place (+2.43).
The absence of Mikaela Shiffrin, who has won nine times in Levi, left the competition wide open. Aicher has become the first female skier—other than Mikaela Shiffrin and Petra Vlhova—to win at Levi in the last 12 years.
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