Larsson benefits from Shiffrin, Vlhova absence to win slalom

English Woman's Journal - Larsson benefits from Shiffrin, Vlhova absence to win slalom

SPORTS 11.02.2024

Larsson benefits from Shiffrin, Vlhova absence to win slalom / Photo: Ed JONES - AFP

Sweden's Anna Swenn Larsson won the women's World Cup slalom at Soldeu becoming the first skier apart from injured duo of American superstar Mikaela Shiffrin and Olympic champion Petra Vlhova to win a race in the discipline this season.

Change text size:

Swenn Larsson posted the fastest time in the first leg and rammed home her advantage in the second run to time 35 hundredths of a second faster than second-placed Croatian skier Zrinka Ljutic.

Shiffrin's compatriot Paula Moltzan finished third, 83 hundredths of a second slower than the winner.

Shiffrin, who has five wins in the discipline this season, missed Soldeu as she recovers from a knee injury.

Shiffrin holds a commanding lead in the slalom World Cup standings -- second-placed Vlhova is 125 points behind but the Slovak three-time winner this season has been ruled out for the rest of the campaign due to injury.

However, Shiffrin will have work to do when she returns to clinch a sixth overall World Cup crown.

On Saturday, in-form Swiss skier Lara Gut-Behrami leap-frogged her at the top of the standings with victory in the giant slalom.

There remain two more slalom races on the calendar this season, in Are, Sweden, on March 10 and six days later at the Austrian resort of Saalbach, where the World Cup finals take place.

R.Mcintosh--EWJ

FA Cup Second-Round Draw Confirmed for Non-League and Midlands Clubs

The FA Cup second-round draw has been finalized, setting up crucial ties for non-league teams aiming to reach the third round proper. Several clubs from the Midlands, including Burton Albion and Kidderminster Harriers, have secured their next opponents following recent victories over lower-league opposition.

Panthers expected to begin 2027 NRL season away from new stadium

The new Penrith Stadium is expected to be ready in time for the opening round of the 2027 NRL season, but it’s still likely the Panthers is expected to be on the road for their early matches. There is no delay to the build of the new $309 million venue but there’s a lack of appetite for risk around weather delays through the summer.

Tayyab Arif hits 57 on Pakistan Test debut against Sri Lanka

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan (AP) — Tayyab Arif smashed an aggressive half-century on debut and provided a new-look Pakistan lineup a confident start to the first cricket test against Sri Lanka on Monday. The 20-year-old Tayyab struck nine boundaries and a six in his 57-run knock as Pakistan reached 137-2 at lunch on a greenish wicket that lured Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis to bowl first after winning the toss.

English Woman's Journal - Larsson benefits from Shiffrin, Vlhova absence to win slalom