Alpine skiing: Liensberger in Flachau on the podium

Liensberger, as test pilot with number one, did not look back on a perfect run. A mistake in the middle section cost the 22-year-old valuable tenths of a second in the fight for her possible first World Cup victory. The third season podium after two third places in the giant slalom in Lienz and in the slalom in Zagreb remained within reach. She lost just five hundredths of a second to Shiffrin, who has to put everything on one card in the second run to prevent Vlhova’s second win in a row.

Vlhova, who finished second behind Shiffrin and ahead of Liensberger in Flachau last season, managed a dream run on perfectly groomed slopes just like a week ago in Zagreb. From top to bottom, it continuously took time away from the competition. Shiffrin had already been in the upper part behind the Slovakian for more than four tenths of a second. Thanks to a final attack, she kept the damage within limits and thus saved the chance for her 65th World Cup victory.

Liensberger was self-critical. “Sometimes it felt really good, but the ride wasn’t always what I would have liked. In the second run I have to get the last thing out of myself again, ”says Liensberger. The first wave had left her behind Vlhova. “I was not quite as stable and clean on the ski to be able to control and push on the waves at the same time. On this slope, you have to fully stretch the line from start to finish, ”said Liensberger. Last year she was third in Flachau to take her first World Cup podium.

Vlhova attacks again

Even front runner Vlhova had not remained spotless. The lead surprised the 24-year-old herself at first. “When I crossed the finish line, I didn’t feel so good because I made a few mistakes. I have to watch the run in the video again with my trainer (Livio Magoni, note) to see what I can do better in the second and where I can attack even more. I will do my best, ”said Vlhova.

The Swedes Anna Swenn-Larsson (+0.77) and the Swiss Wendy Holdener (+0.84) are likely to have a say in the fight for the podium this time as half-time fourth and fifth. For the other ÖSV women behind Liensberger, the dream of the top three should be over. Chiara Mair was the second best, 1.49 seconds back, in seventh place just ahead of Katharina Truppe (+1.81), who finished third at the season opener in Levi. Katharina Gallhuber was 17th in 2.55 seconds, Katharina Huber was 19th (2.71), Franziska Gritsch 24th (2.79).

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