Alpine skiing: Shiffrin attacks in Lienz

The overall World Cup leader has been on the podium five times in Lienz. The only Shiffrin win dates from 2017 in slalom, she was third twice in the giant slalom. Shiffrin’s next victory would be the 63rd of her career, placing her ahead of Annemarie Moser Pröll (62) and 19 behind record holder and compatriot Lindsey Vonn (82).

In the slalom, the 24-year-old runs flawlessly this winter too, her first place was not to be taken in Levi and Killington. In the RTL, however, only ranks two, three and 17 looked out – too little for the American, who is spoiled for success and has high expectations. Val d’Isere therefore left her out, but after the races were canceled, she missed nothing.

Problem discipline for ÖSV women

The Austrians missed the podium in the last two Lienz editions, although often only barely. In 2013, the victories went to Anna Fenninger (Veith) in the giant slalom and Marlies Schild (Raich) in the slalom. In 2015 there were fourth places by Eva Maria-Brem (RTL) and Carmen Thalmann (SL), in 2017 a fourth by Bernadette Schild (SL) and a fifth by Stephanie Brunner (RTL). These two are missing this year after cruciate ligament tears.

The most problematic discipline for the ÖSV women this season is the giant slalom. At the start in Sölden, Franziska Gritsch (7th) and Ramona Siebenhofer (10th) were in the top ten, in Killington the best positions were 16 for Brem, 18 for Katharina Truppe and 20 for Katharina Huber, in Courchevel 15 for Ricarda Haaser and 18 for troop.

Since the success of Brem on March 7, 2016 in Jasna, the ÖSV women have been waiting for a victory in the core discipline. “It’s a shame that it was so long ago. I can end this discussion and that is the goal that I have. It has not worked so far, but I work on it every day, ”said Brem. Having a home race is nice, but for them it is more important how they drive, not where they drive. “It’s a brutal test of patience and it snaps at me if I don’t get it.”

For now, not too high goals

Long waiting for victory is not a dominant thing for Christian Mitter, head of women’s racing. “It is certainly not a good sign for the ski nation, but it is not an issue for the runners,” he said at a media event on Friday. “We have to keep going in the giant slalom, it is the most difficult discipline at the moment and there is definitely still a way to go before we win again.” But you have a good team, many have already shown what is missing, consistently good performances and the top result.

22-year-old Gritsch can easily enter the race on the Hochstein, it will be her first giant slalom on this route. She had gathered strength over the Christmas holidays and is now pleased that it continues. “2019 was really good, I want to take the momentum with me. Now two cool home races are coming. Two years ago I was able to make my World Cup debut here in the slalom, ”said the third of the parallel slalom in St. Moritz – it was her first podium.

Speed ​​specialist Siebenhofer once again takes the qualification for the second run to her goal on the trip to the RTL. This winter she has “once hui, once ugly” to book. The 28-year-old made her World Cup debut in Lienz ten years ago. “That’s why I have a special relationship with Lienz.” The connection to the East Tyrolean ski resort is also special for Veith, who won the giant slalom in 2011 and 2013. “Because of my past, I go here with a very good feeling,” said the Salzburg native.

Katharina Liensberger, the most consistent slalom runner with a sixth and a seventh place, did not really get going in the RTL. “It was my first time here two years ago and I didn’t qualify in giant slalom. The goal is to be at the start in both rounds. That means starting right from the start with full power, sniffing hard and then getting the swings right to the finish. ”Truppe remarked that“ the bite for the top 15 ”was missing, which is what she worked on last. The top 30 are the goal that she has so far been denied in the giant slalom in Lienz.

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