Petra Vlhova pips Katharina Liensberger to World Cup slalom win in Zagreb

ByJames Walker-Roberts

Updated 03/01/2021 at 18:17 GMT

Petra Vlhova kicked off the new year with victory in the first women's World Cup slalom race of 2021 as she edged out Katharina Liensberger despite several mistakes on her final run. Michelle Gisin came in third while Mikaela Shiffrin missed out on a podium spot as she finished fourth in the event in Zagreb, Croatia.

Petra Vlhova won the first women's World Cup slalom race of 2021 in dramatic fashion in Zagreb, Croatia.

The Slovakian made several mistakes in her final run - and only posted the 11th-fastest time - but did enough to beat Katharina Liensberger by five-hundredths of a second.

Michelle Gisin came in third while Mikaela Shiffrin finished fourth, missing out on her 100th career World Cup podium.

Åre

Shiffrin marks return from injury by sealing slalom crystal globe

10/03/2024 at 20:04

Petra Vlhova continues stellar form with win in Zagreb

It was Vlhova's fourth World Cup victory of the season and came hot on the heels of a disappointing fourth-place finish in Semmering last time out.

"It was a really hard day for me," explained Vlhova. "I had to find my confidence again and the entire day was a fight, especially the second run.

"I thought I was out of the podium picture, but I kept fighting through the finish. When I saw I was only the 11th fastest in the second run, I thought I was for sure out of the podium, but then the green light showed up and I couldn't believe it."

Vlhova and Gisin are first and second respectively in both the slalom and the overall standings.

Åre

'Are likely to be the target' - Shiffrin focusing on slalom and giant slalom return

15/02/2024 at 09:40

Alpine Skiing

Gut-Behrami leapfrogs Shiffrin in Alpine Ski World Cup standings with third straight victory

10/02/2024 at 20:53

Soldeu

Shiffrin rules out Andorra return and addresses 'staggering' number of injuries

08/02/2024 at 10:17