In Killington and Sestriere, Wendy Holdener won her first two slaloms in November and December after a long wait – and in quick succession. At the World Championships in Méribel, despite being in the lead, she was not able to win a medal and the Schwyz native was eliminated. In Are, the 29-year-old wanted to fight for victory again.
But there was also Mikaela Shiffrin, who had clinched her 86th World Cup victory in Sweden the day before and drew level with record holder Ingemar Stenmark, at the start. On Saturday, the 27-year-old had his first chance at the sole record.
Holdener opened the first heat, but her best time was held by just four riders – until Shiffrin. The American smashed Holdener’s best time and gained a lead of almost a second. Holdener can at least tackle the second run from third place, the Swede Anna Swenn Larsson still sat between Shiffrin and Holdener.
“I thought it would be a little easier. I was a little behind and couldn’t get the speed I wanted on every swing. I try to adapt that in training and I hope that I can do that for the second run too, »said Holdener on SRF.
With Mélanie Meillard (15th), Michelle Gisin (17th), Camille Rast (19th), Elena Stoffel (22nd) and Nicole Good at the same time, five other Swiss women are represented in the second round.