The Alpine World Cup season kicks off in Sölden, boasting excellent snow conditions for the giant slalom events. Defending champions Lara Gut-Behrami and Marco Odermatt aim to continue their title defenses, while notable returnees include Lucas Braathen and Marcel Hirscher. Weather remains a concern, though current forecasts predict favorable conditions. Mikaela Shiffrin targets her 100th career win amid stiff competition, and German skiers Lena Dürr and Linus Straßer seek strong performances to bolster their standings.
Ideal Snow Conditions in Sölden – Ready for the Alpine World Cup Season Opener
The Alpine ski season kicks off this weekend with both women’s and men’s giant slalom events. This marks the beginning of the title defense for Switzerland’s champions Lara Gut-Behrami and Marco Odermatt.
Focus on Braathen and Hirscher
The German Ski Association has announced its competitors, with Lena Dürr and Linus Straßer taking the lead. However, there’s heightened interest in two potential comeback athletes. Lucas Braathen, known for his technical skills, returns after a year away from competition, now representing Brazil instead of Norway, his country of origin.
Additionally, Marcel Hirscher, a former eight-time overall World Cup champion (2012-2019), is contemplating a return to the slopes. Now 35 years old, Hirscher, who retired in 2019, may compete under the Dutch flag, with a last-minute decision expected on his participation in Sölden.
Weather Watch
Last Thursday, race directors from FIS, Markus Mayr (women) and Janez Hladnik (men), were pleased with the outstanding conditions on the racecourse, granting approval for the events to proceed. ‘The Rettenbach Glacier offers the ideal conditions we need to kick off the World Cup season successfully. The athletes will encounter excellent conditions here.’
The primary concern now is the weather, which has impacted previous seasons. Last year’s men’s race was called off due to severe winds, while the women’s event faced similar cancellations the year before. Forecasts for the weekend predict sub-zero temperatures and some precipitation, which is at least promising for snow conditions.
Lara Gut-Behrami and Marco Odermatt – Starting in Sölden, Aiming for More
Lara Gut-Behrami stands out as a top contender in Sölden, holding three victories, tied with Slovenia’s Tina Maze. Her win last year, where she outperformed Federica Brignone from Italy and Slovakia’s Patra Vlhovà, set a positive tone for her entire season, ultimately leading her to claim the small crystal globe for giant slalom and the overall World Cup title.
Sölden has also been a launching pad for Marco Odermatt, who triumphed here in 2021 and 2022 before securing the overall World Cup. The 27-year-old is again viewed as a frontrunner for the big crystal globe, with many experts confident that he could claim victory for the fourth consecutive time if he remains injury-free.
Mikaela Shiffrin’s Pursuit – German Athletes Eyeing Her Performance
For years, Mikaela Shiffrin, the 29-year-old American ski star and five-time overall World Cup winner, has been a formidable competitor. She is once more expected to challenge for the top spots alongside Gut-Behrami, Brignone, and Vlhovà.
However, this winter she has chosen not to participate in downhill events for safety reasons, potentially putting her at a disadvantage in terms of points accumulation since she might race less than her competitors. Shiffrin’s main focus will be on achieving her 100th World Cup victory, having already secured 97.
Last German Triumph in Sölden: Viktoria Rebensburg
German athletes Lena Dürr and Linus Straßer aim to secure high placements in the Slalom World Cup. Dürr, returning to Sölden for the first time since 2020, hopes to boost her confidence with a successful outing, while the last German to win in Sölden was Viktoria Rebensburg in 2017. Coaches are optimistic about Emma Aicher’s improvements in this discipline. Conversely, Linus Straßer has yet to score any points on the Rettenbach Glacier.