Liensberger looks ahead: "Bib number 1 is important, I will have to attack 100% also in the second"

The leader of the world slalom commands with 3 tenths on Petra Vlhova, back in confidence. "I'm there to play it." Disappointed Shiffrin: she will need the most difficult feat of her career for the fifth title in a row.

Saturday 20 February 2021 4 minutes reading time

A first round of the world slalom of Cortina that has mixed up the cards a bit, even if the most awaited women (except for Michelle Gisin, who immediately got on the bike) are there in front. On the splendid Druscié A, Katharina Liensberger made the difference with the number 1, but it is certainly not just a question of bib considering the stratospheric level that the 23-year-old Austrian is showing. At 13.30 he will go in search of his first slalom victory at these levels, after having touched it several times in the World Cup, while the most difficult feat in a World Cup will be needed by Mikaela Shiffrin for the five gold medals after the titles of Schladming, Beaver Creek, Sankt Moritz and Are. Fourth at 1 ”30, the American left with a lot of anger in her body after the first heat, already thinking about the comeback she will have to place in a few hours. "The number 1 was certainly very good today on this snow, I tried to attack immediately, but it is still long - Liensberger told Rai Sport microphones - I will have to give 100% in the second to stay ahead". Petra Vlhova follows her by just 3 tenths, practically with a second margin on Holdener and Shiffrin. “It was a good heat, even if it was difficult on this track and with wet snow. We are there to play it, that's fine ”. And Michelle Gisin also arrived at Simone Benzoni's microphone, disappointed but smiling as always, she who leaves the World Championship with a combined bronze (certainly below expectations, useless to deny it), but a double medal in the family after the fantastic silver of her boyfriend Luca De Aliprandini. “I hadn't gone out in slalom for 4 years, today was not my day - explained the Swiss - It is more important that yesterday was Luca's day: he was really too good, what a thrill”.

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