FLACHAU, Austria- Marlies Schild keeps the momentum going. With a time of 55.48 seconds she is leading the first run of the Slalom in Flachau. Tina Maze and Maria Hoefl- Riech were the only skiers who managed to stay within the second from Schild, they are 0.29 and .53 seconds behind. Kathrin Zettel is fourth over a second off her compatriot’s time.
Schild is proving to be a league of her own this season in Slalom and performing in front of her home crowd, especially after leaving with a DNF and big disappointment last year, she is definitely tonight’s biggest favourite.
Tina Maze might have had a rough start in Slalom in the past year but has constantly been improving and has become one of the top contenders. Coming to Flachau with a fifth place form Courchavel, she is definitely going to try and chase Schild in the second run.
After winning the Overall last season, Hoefl-Riesch might not yet be at her usual levels but is certainly getting there. With a third place in the Aspen Slalom and a DNF in Courschavel she isn’t about to let go of her podium placement that easily.
We saw quite a few girls having troubles and not making it through the finish line. Veronika Zuzulova straddled a gate at the very end of the course, and had to be disqualified although her run would have been fast enough to guarantee her one of the top spots places in the first run.
Second run starts at 18.30 and here you can watch at what the ladies have to say about night races.
