She is aiming for victory in Flachau: Katharina Liensberger. © APA / BARBARA GINDL

The mood is boiling: Austrian woman leads in Flachau

A big Austrian party is brewing in Flachau. A local hero is in the lead in the first run of the famous night slalom. The winner will be decided at 20.45:XNUMX p.m.

14 January 2025

From: det

Magical stars on the slopes, a roaring crowd at the finish, screaming fans at the edge of the slopes: the women's slalom in Flachau is a spectacle like no other. On Tuesday, the ski resort in the Salzburg region showed its best side in the first run - also because a local hero is aiming for victory.

Katharina Liensberger, who has been so often scolded and criticized in recent years, set a personal best with a magical run and ensured that the atmosphere was boiling. When the decision is made in Flachau at 20.45 p.m., the Austrian will be the one being hunted. Also because she was able to build up a respectable lead.

huge lead over pursuers

Liensberger is 75 hundredths of a second ahead of second-placed Wendy Holdener, while third-placed Sara Hector is already 94 hundredths behind. All other athletes crossed the finish line more than a second late.

Wendy Holdener is in second place. © APA / BARBARA GINDL

After two very difficult years with only one podium finish, Liensberger has found her old strength again this year. The Olympic vice-champion has already made it onto the podium twice this winter, will her first victory finally follow on Tuesday? Liensberger last won in March 2022, almost three years ago.

Ljutic makes a serious mistake, South Tyroleans are out

Meanwhile, the big favorite missed the second run. Zrinka Ljutic, who recently won two slaloms in a row, made a serious mistake in the upper part, barely managed to stay in the race and accumulated a deficit of 3,70 seconds. That was not enough to decide the winner.

Zrinka Ljutic missed the decision. © APA / BARBARA GINDL

The two South Tyroleans are also no longer taking part. Vera Tschurtschenthaler from Sexten got caught up early, and Celina Haller from Schenna also did not make it to the finish. For the Burggräflerin, it was the first World Cup race in almost three years. With Marta Rossetti (15th place), Martina Peterlini (19th place) and Lara Della Mea (25th place) three Azzurre are taking part in the second run. As always, the decision will be made in the SportNews-Live ticker.