Shiffrin vs. Ljutic: Who will win gold in the slalom?

The women's last chance for a medal at the Alpine Skiing World Championships in Saalbach-Hinterglemm starts on Saturday at 9.45 a.m. with the first run of the slalom.

14. February 2025

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From the Italian perspective, the mission to win a medal will be very difficult. With Martina Peterlini, Marta Rossetti, Lara Della Mea and Giorgia Collomb in the squad, the Azzurre are not among the absolute world elite this season. Peterlini managed to finish ninth in the World Cup slalom in Saalbach a year ago, but is still waiting for a place in the top 10 this season.

Nevertheless, with Della Mea and Collomb, two runners will be competing for the boot-shaped country, who this World Championship in the team event together with Alex Vinatzer and Filippo Della Vite were able to celebrate a gold medal. With this in their luggage, the two Azzurre should be able to get started without pressure and with a healthy dose of self-confidence. And how to with Raphael Haaser in the giant slalom, a World Cup always allows for special stories.

Tight field of favorites

One prediction, however, puts the spotlight on others. On the one hand, returning Mikaela Shiffrin, who has already won 15 medals at the World Championships, must be considered one of the top favorites. Also because she will be competing in the World Cup together with Breezy Johnson after a two-month injury break. Gold medal in the first team combination won.

Zrinka Ljutic has won three World Cup slaloms this season. © APA / BARBARA GINDL

Zrinka Ljutic is also one of the medal contenders. The Croatian has had a meteoric rise in the skiing circus this season and won the slaloms in Courchevel, Kranjska Gora and Semmering. Sara Hector, Anna Swenn Larsson, Lena Dürr, Camille Rast and Wendy Holdener are all waiting shoulder to shoulder for their chance to win a medal.