Shiffrin and Vlhová in Flachau GEPA pictures/ Gintare Karpaviciute
Who is racing in Flachau, when, and how to watch the women’s World Cup night slalom on January 16th.
As the Flachau Austria Women’s World Cup night slalom approaches, Tuesday, January 16th, all eyes are on Mikaela Shiffrin, who is set to start her first race since the Kranjska Gora, Slovenia Slalom on January 7th. Despite skipping the Altenmarkt-Zauchensee events due to health concerns, Shiffrin maintains a formidable 142-point lead in the overall standings.
Historically, Shiffrin excels after taking breaks, often making notable improvements. Her proximity to Flachau, located near Altenmarkt, where the Atomic factory produces her skis, adds an interesting dimension to her performance.
Shiffrin commented after visiting her boyfriend Aleksander Aamodt Kilde in the hospital. Kilde crashed in with one turn remaining of the Wengen downhill on Saturday and suffered a deep cut to his calf and a separated shoulder. Shiffrin said “I am feeling okay. I’m just maybe a little bit frazzled from the last 48 hours, but I feel personally much better just knowing that Alex will eventually be okay. So that was obviously very shocking for the whole world to see on television. But body-wise, I’m feeling okay.”
Slalom World Cup title battle
Shiffrin faces close competition with Slovakian Petra Vlhová in the season’s slalom battle, with Vlhová trailing by just five points. German skier Lena Duerr is also in the mix, closely following Shiffrin by 80 points. With five slaloms left in the 2023-24 calendar, the competition is intense, and any skier hitting top form could secure the season’s slalom title. However, when Shiffrin is in her element, she is a formidable force.
Shiffrin has clinched victory in three of the six women’s slaloms this season, finishing second and fourth in the other two races she completed. She boasts an impressive record in Flachau, having won the slalom four times and secured podium finishes nine times. Vlhová, who has clinched victory three times, comes closest to matching Shiffrin’s dominance in Flachau.
Vlhová, despite missing the Flachau podium eight times, is skiing exceptionally well this season, focusing exclusively on skiing slalom and GS. The battle between Shiffrin and Vlhová adds an intriguing element to the upcoming race.
Top ten 2024 season women’s World Cup slalom standings
Click on images to enlarge
Women’s Slalom Racing
The last slalom this season in Kranjska Gora saw Vlhová take the win, with Duerr in second and Hurt in an impressive third place. Shiffrin, unfortunately, did not finish the first run, straddling a gate.
In the previous season’s Flachau event, Vlhová claimed victory, Shiffrin settled for second, and Duerr secured the third spot. As the Flachau, Austria, Women’s World Cup night slalom unfolds, the battle between Shiffrin and her rivals promises to be an evening of thrilling alpine skiing action.
Seventy-four women representing 25 countries will compete in the January 16th World Cup night slalom
North American Contenders
Notably, the talented Stifel U.S. Ski Team’s Head women’s tech coach, Magnus Andersson, will set the second run course.
Beyond Shiffrin, the North American contingent is making its mark. Canada’s Ali Nullmeyer, a Green Mountain Valley School, Vermont and Middlebury College graduate, is currently ranked 9th in the season’s slalom standings. Paula Moltzan, a Stifel US Ski Team member from the University of Vermont, holds the 10th position in the season’s slalom standings.
AJ Hurt, 23, is one of the season’s surprises, previously known for her GS skills. This year, she impressed in slalom, finishing third in Kranjska Gora with bib 38. Hurt and Shiffrin stand as the two Stifel US Ski Team women to earn podiums this season. She is now ranked 21st in slalom.
The Canadian presence continues with Laurence St-Germain, a University of Vermont graduate and the reigning SL World Champion. Unfortunately, a training injury has kept her out of competition since November 26th, 2023. Another Canadian, Amelia Smart, a former University of Denver skier, has scored in four of the six races this season and ranked 29th.
North American Women with 2024 slalom World Cup Points
North Americans entered to race the Flachau Night World Cup night slalom on January 16th.
- Bib 3, Mikaela Shiffrin, Stifel USST, Burke Mountain, Academy, Atomic, Oakley
- Bib 2, Paula Moltzan, Stifel USST, University of Vermont, Ski and Snowboard Club, Vail, Rossignol/LOOK, Level Gloves
- Bib 13, Ali Nullmeyer, ACA, Middlebury College, GMVS, Atomic, Level Gloves
- Bib 24, Amelia Smart, ACA, Windermere, University of Denver, Atomic, Level Gloves
- Bib 29, AJ Hurt, Stifel Stifel, Team Palisades Tahoe, HEAD, Level Gloves
- Bib 44, Lila Lapanja, USA, Independent, Diamond Peak Ski Team, SYNC, Stöckli, Dalbello
About Flachau
Nestled in St. Johann im Pongau district in Salzburg, Austria, Flachau is a charming village with a population of 2,802 as of 2016. Renowned for its numerous skiing facilities, Flachau is an integral part of the Ski Amadé network, one of Europe’s largest ski areas.
In the 19th century, Flachau thrived as a hub for iron smelting in the Pongau district. Even though the village has removed the remnants of the smelting works, its industrial history still resonates and is reflected in street and house names.
As Flachau gears up for the Women’s World Cup night slalom, its rich history and picturesque surroundings set the stage for an exciting alpine racing night spectacle.
How to watch the Tuesday, January 16th Flachau World Cup night slalom.
The women’s initial run starts at noon Eastern Time and 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time, while the second run commences at 2:45 p.m. Eastern Time and 11:45 a.m. Pacific Time. 18:00 CET first run and 20:45 CET second run.
In Canada, sports enthusiasts can watch the World Cup on CBC Sports
In the USA, the women’s World Cups in Courchevel will be available for viewing live and as a replay on the Peacock streaming service.
First run start list and race program for Tuesday, January 16th Flachau World Cup night slalom
Click on the start list and program to download
Race program for Tuesday, January 16th Flachau World Cup night slalom
