Vlhova crowned Snow Queen in Zagreb

It didn’t take long for Petra Vlhova (SVK) to get back to her winning ways. After a disapponting fourth place finish in the Semering slalom, Vlhova was once again on top of the standings and was crowned the Snow Queen under the lights at the slalom in Zagreb (CRO).

The first run was a challenge for the entire field with warm, wet conditions to battle through. The top racers finished all within striking distance with Vlhova holding a 0.32 advantage over Austrian Katharina Liensberger, while Michelle Gisin (SUI) sat in third place only 0.38 seconds back. American Mikaela Shiffrin was also in the hunt only 0.42 seconds behind.

Despite the close margin, the second run did nothing to change the final results as Vlhova, Liensberger and Gisin all went 1-2-3, with Shiffrin landing just short of the podium.

“It was a really hard day for me today,” said a relieved Vlhova after the race. “I had to find my confidence again and the entire day was a fight, especially the second run. I though 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 said.

Today marked Vlhova’s fourth slalom World Cup victory of the season, which she can add to two third-place finishes in the giant slalom. Those numbers are enough to give Vlhova a 128-point lead in the Overall World Cup standings ahead of Gisin.

Liensberger also turned in another strong performance with her second, second-place showing in as many races. It was Gisin’s third podium of the season after she won in Semmering and took third place in the Levi slalom.

The men are in action on January 6th to crown the Snow King in Zagreb.