Mikaela Shiffrin ends the season with a demonstration of power. She wins the slalom in Sun Valley in superior style. Wendy Holdener takes 4th place and Croatian Zrinka Ljutic takes the small globe.
Of course, the comparison was not long in coming. As soon as Zrinka Ljutic's talent was recognized, they began to dream again at home that there would be another Alpine skier in Croatia capable of following in the (big) footsteps of Janica Kostelic.
Zrinka Ljutic herself knows how to assess the comparison with her highly decorated compatriot, the four-time Olympic champion, five-time world champion and three-time overall World Cup winner. She is still at the beginning of her career, she does not yet see herself as a complete racer - and certainly not on a par with Janica Kostelic.
Janica Kostelic has of course supported Zrinka Ljutic on her way to the top. In the meantime, however, the former dominator has retired, preferring a quiet family life as a mother. Zrinka Ljutic has been supported by Janica's brother for the past five years. Ivica Kostelic is in close contact with his young compatriot as an advisor. Zrinka Ljutic also shares a love of music with the former overall World Cup winner. Like him, she is passionate about playing the guitar.
The collaboration began back then in Innerkrems. Amir and Martina Ljutic have spent many a winter in the town in Carinthia in order to be able to offer their children better training opportunities. Zrinka's brothers Tvrtko and Hrvoje and sister Dora also compete in ski races. Father Amir is still Zrinka's coach.
Slalom globe after 10th place
On Thursday, the comparisons with Janica Kostelic were again very frequent. Understandably, Zrinka Ljutic was now able to receive this award like her predecessor, who had secured the slalom globe three times. However, the last step was a difficult one. Zrinka Ljutic was only in 12th place after the first run and was only able to improve slightly to 10th place in the final run. However, the 26 points she was awarded for this were enough to save her lead in the discipline rankings across the finish line.
Camille Rast, who started the final slalom 41 points behind Zrinka Ljutic, was unable to finish higher than 14th. Wendy Holdener, whose chances of winning the small globe were only theoretical, missed out on another podium place in a slalom in 4th place by just under half a second. The second best Swiss skier was Mélanie Meillard, who rounded off her strong performances this winter with 7th place.
World Cup victory number 101
Mikaela Shiffrin would of course also have been back in contention for the slalom globe had it not been for the forced break following her crash in the giant slalom in Killington, Vermont. She missed four slaloms due to the painful mishap. If she had always performed like she did in Sun Valley, it would have been difficult to prevent her from winning her ninth slalom title. She secured victory number 101 in the World Cup with a lead of 1.13 seconds.
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