“I sort of knew I would win it, I just didn’t know how,” said Zrinka Ljutic (CRO/Atomic) at the end of the World Cup Final Slalom in Sun Valley, as the 21-year-old raised the first Crystal Globe of her short but already remarkable skiing career.
She wasn’t alone in not knowing. It was a day for the statisticians in Idaho: the calculators came out as Ljutic, who hadn’t skied her best on the day, sank down the positions on the second run, eventually finishing tenth.
But her key rivals – most notably Camille Rast (SUI/Head) and Katharina Liensberger (AUT/Rossignol) – couldn’t take advantage (finishing 14th and fifth respectively), and the prize was going to Croatia.
This might be the beginning of a glittering career, but it was also a day for the legends.
Mikaela Shiffrin (USA/Atomic) was easily the best racer of the day, taking the first step into a second century of triumphs.
The home crowd went wild as the local hero finished +1.13 seconds ahead of Lena Duerr (GER/Head) in second and +1.14 in front of Andreja Slokar (SLO/Nordica) in third.
Victory number 101 saw Shiffrin once again look unaffected by a deteriorating course.
There may be a new champion in town, but next season could be a youngster-versus-veteran classic.
“I will maybe get drunk for the first time in my life.”
– Zrinka Ljutic
Ljutic does just enough to take the title
Since claiming her first ever World Cup win, on 29 December in Semmering in the Slalom, Ljutic has been ruthless, winning twice more and taking a second place.
It put her in pole position for the Globe, but on a tough Sun Valley slope, last season’s Longines Rising Star struggled to find her very best.
Luckily for the Croatian, the same was true for her nearest rivals. Rast, still not fully fit after injury, toiled. Liensberger did well, attacking the slope and recovering effectively from errors, as did Wendy Holdender (SUI/Atomic), who cruised to fourth. But neither gained enough of a margin on Ljutic to grab the title.
“I got it, it’s mine,” said Ljutic with a whoop. “I didn’t know how [I’d win] and it made me very nervous. It was very difficult mentally. But I am happy I managed to ski and it was enough.
“I thought I really wanted to charge the second run and it was difficult, it wasn’t my best skiing. But I think I was active, and it was enough.”
“It wasn’t perfect, but it was a good run and afterwards I was at peace. I did what I could. Then I was just waiting for Kati, to see how she would do.”
She is the second Croatian women to lift the famous trophy, after Janica Kostelic, who did so in 2000/2001 and in 2005/06.
“I grew up hearing about Janica, watching her videos. Now I’m one of the Globe holders in Croatia.
“I think it is just the start. Coming in this season with the switch [of equipment], there were so many things, so I didn’t put pressure on myself for the results.
“But I had the wish, I saw myself able to compete for the Globe, after last season. I had it somewhere in the back of my mind. But maybe the switch made it easier, because I had to focus on skiing and development of the material.
“Then at the end of the season I thought ‘woah, it’s actually happening’. The last few races were tough. Especially today. I learned a few lessons, so many new things.
“There was so much pressure, I will definitely benefit from that in the future.”
Shiffrin clocks another milestone
Kids dressed as Dalmatians all around the Sun Valley slopes were a hint: 101 was the new target for the history-making USA skier, and she delivered in style.
Shiffrin put down a flawless first run to lead the field, then once again demolished all comers on a piste that was getting difficult to negotiate. Smooth but aggressive, she made the turns look easy.
“I felt really good,” she said afterwards. “It wasn’t easy conditions, but I felt on point with my timing. I could see Lena from the start, and she looked so good and so powerful, I thought ‘no’.
“You can never take it easy. But I feel super happy. It’s nice to finish the season with this performance, in conditions that I don’t normally feel super comfortable in.
“That gives me good motivation for training in the summer period, and for next season.
She enjoyed the home support. “Here, they’re cheering and saying ‘come on Mikaela, now is your time’. It’s so exciting to have a crowd like this in the US that is so supportive of ski racing.
“In the end, that was probably the thing that gave me the little bit of intensity that I needed.”
Duerr could also reflect on a smooth and technically impressive race. “It was the perfect ending to a tough day,” said the German. “I was having little problems with the second run, so I was happy.
Her season has seen her struggle to close out races, often after a very competitive first effort. “I was a little up and down,” she said. “I am just happy to finish a proper second run. But all the work, all the years pay off.”
Slokar, dynamic throughout, was delighted with third. “These are my conditions, and I always feel good at the finals, so I’m happy that tradition continues,” she said.
Liensberger and Rast reflect on what could have been
Liensberger, the 2021 Slalom champion, and Rast, meanwhile, finished a thrilling day in second and third place overall in the rankings.
“I really wanted to go fast, and to make it as good as I can, but it wasn’t easy,” said Liensberger. “I felt before the race that everything was possible. There was some pressure.
“Sometimes it goes good, sometimes it doesn’t. But it is an experience I will take with me.
“It was not my day today. However I have had a lot of great results this season, From beginning to end I was doing good runs. Some good skiing, and it’s a good basis for next season. I want to take this level with me.”
Rast had similar sentiments, although her challenge was partly derailed by injury. “Since Sestriere, I gave my best, I tried, but it was not enough,” she said.
“I couldn’t train, in the gym I could do nothing. It was difficult to stay fit. I just tried to give my best on race day.
“But I think I had a really good season. [Winning] the World Championship was a highlight. I can be proud and see the positives.
“I won two races, it was important for me, and this third place overall motivates me more for next season.”
A race and a Globe that went to the wire, with so many top athletes, indicates that women’s Slalom will continue to be one of the most exciting disciplines for several winters to come.
For now, there is celebrating to be done. Ljutic’s plans? “I will maybe get drunk for the first time in my life.”
