Lara Gut wins the first giant slalom of the season

After the numerous cancelled races in Europe due to lack of snow and after the opening race in Sölden could not be held due to bad weather conditions, the first women's giant slalom race took place in Killington, USA. The favorites certainly included American Mikaela Shiffrin, Sweden's Sara Hector and Slovakia's Petra Vlhova. With bib number 1, the Italian Federica Brignone into the race, third in the overall World Cup last season. Her run was quite okay, but in the end, with a gap of 1.59 seconds in the first run, it was only enough for 13th place in the first run and 9th final place. Local hero Mikaela Shiffrin also failed to get going. After the first run she was in 10th place, 1.36 seconds behind the leader Sara Hector. This meant that the Swede had successfully asserted herself as the favorite in the first run. Behind her, Ragnhild Mowinckel from Norway, Switzerland's Lara Gut, Petra Vlhova in 4th place and Marta Bassino lined up. The lead of the first five racers was too big for the racers behind them to have a real chance to win in the second run. In the second run Roberta Melesi (best time), Maryna Gasienica-Daniel from Poland, Alice Robinson and Lara Colturi scored with top times. For Shiffrin it didn't work out as usual, she was even flushed to the 13th final place. In the end it was a neck-and-neck race between Marta Bassino, Sara Hector and Lara well, because Ragnhild Mowinckel had to fight with a lot of wind in the top section. Sara Hector fluffed in the second run. Marta Bassino and Lara Gut a very good run with almost the same running time. Lara Gut showed a very precise run without swing interruption or brakemen. This run brought her the victory of the first giant slalom race in the end.