Industry News
Zrinka Ljutic of Croatia delivered another smashing performance in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, to claim her second World Cup victory in just seven days, reinforcing her place as one of the brightest talents in alpine skiing. The 20-year-old triumphed in Sunday’s slalom, edging out Switzerland’s Wendy Holdener by a mere 0.16 seconds in a dramatic duel that captivated fans at the Slovenian resort. Holdener and Ljutic in bib 1 and 2 respectively had qualified for Run 2 of the Slalom race with the exact same time, sharing the leader’s seat in the finish area for the entirety of Run 1.
The first run had set the stage for an intense battle, with nothing separating Ljutic and Holdener as they pulled over a second ahead of the rest of the field. Holdener, 31, set a blistering pace in her second run, momentarily taking the lead and appearing poised for victory. However, Ljutic’s ability to lift her game even higher in the face of pressure secured her the top spot. “I was trying to push everywhere,” Ljutic explained. “I hoped it was enough, and it was.”
Ljutic’s win marked a decisive moment for the rising stars of the sport. Reflecting on her performance, she said, “I had my own idea and was really focusing on myself. I decided the tempo of the run, how I wanted to ski, and I really tried to stick to that vision.” Her focus and determination were evident as she kept her composure despite the pressure, narrowly increasing her advantage in the first three splits of her second run before holding on for victory. With this victory, Ljutic not only claimed her second career victory but also claimed the lead in the 2024-25 season Slalom standings and Overall standings, awarding the young gun the red leader’s bib.
Holdener was gracious in defeat, stating, “I attacked, I gave everything. It’s an amazing fight.” The 31-year-old had naturally hoped to snatch the season-standing lead in the absence of legends like Mikaela Shiffrin of the United States and Petra Vlhova of Slovakia, but now faces the challenge of holding off the younger generation.
Team USA’s Katie Hensien delivered a standout performance at Kranjska Gora, finishing 12th for her first top-15 result in a World Cup slalom. Starting the day with bib 36, she made a remarkable recovery, skiing the fifth-fastest second run and earning some time in the leader’s seat in the finish area. “It reassures me that I have been skiing fast all season,” Hensien said. “It shows my speed has always been there, and I’m excited for what’s to come.” Teammate AJ Hurt had a strong first run, placing 11th, but skied out in her second after an aggressive start. Paula Moltzan also scored points, finishing 20th, while Nina O’Brien did not qualify for the second run.
The women’s technical racers prepare for the next slalom in Flachau, Austria, on January 14, while the speed women will compete at St. Anton, Austria, on January 11 and 12. The women’s team will head back to the Stifel U.S. Ski Team headquarters in Toblach for training.
