Levi Ready For Slalom Opener
Following a positive snow control, the International Ski Federation and the Levi LOC have given the green light for the men and the women to race their first slalom race of the season on the popular Levi Black on 23rd and 24th of November.
The best alpine ski racers of the world have met in this fabulous atmosphere every November since 2004. Fourteen women and ten men's races have been held in Levi.
On the women's side, Mikaela Shiffrin and Maria Hoefl-Riesch detain the record of the most successful skiers on the Levi Black with three victories each. But let's see who are the other competitors for the throne.
In the hunt for the podium will be Petra Vlhova, who's the only other women (besides Shiffrin) to win a slalom race in Levi since Tina Maze and Maria Hoefl-Riesch retired. Levi has treated her well in the past, as she always reaches the podium expect the first time she competed in Lapland.
The Swiss tech star Wendy Holdener is another favourite for the podium, given her two podium finishes in Levi, and her third overall finish in the race for the slalom crystal globe. Holdener never won a slalom race, despite 22 podiums and silver medals in PyeongChang and St.Moritz World Championship.
Last but not least, we have Anna Swenn-Larsson of Sweden, who has landed on the podium at the World Championship in second place and she showed her improvements over the season with several top 5.
On the men's side who else if not Marcel Hirscher is holding the record with three wins? Well, it’s time for change and let's see who will be the next skier to own a reindeer that as per tradition is awarded to the winner.
Agence-Zoom
Henrik Kristoffersen is for sure one of the men to watch. After a disappointing start of the season in Soelden, can the Norwegian get back on top of the podium in the same place where he won in 2014 and finished second in the last two editions?
Youngster Clement Noel had a really consistent end of season last year, achieving three victories in slalom and one further podium. Will the French star be able to pick up where he left off despite the recent back problems he has had?
Finally, Daniel Yule is also among the favourites for the slalom race on Levi Black. His best result in the Finnish venue was fourth in 2017 but he has definitely had his best season last year, ending in joint second place with Clement Noel in the slalom ranking.
There are many other athletes - young ones and more experienced ones - that could fight for the very top positions on Sunday. We don’t know who is going to make it, but there is one thing we are certain of: it’s going to be a great fight and a big show as always in Levi!
Now let the slalom season begin!
Thanks to the cold temperatures and the early snowfalls, the Levi Black is in perfect shape and Levi’s World Cup Race Director Petri Tuomikoski is very satisfied:
“It’s a great start to the winter with more than half a meter natural snow in the area. With around nine days left until the competitions, I am delighted to see that everything is running smoothly and on track. Looks like we are ready to race!”
A week ago the race slope was injected and optimal conditions are granted to the many National teams training at Levi Black, Alpine Training Park, and Front Slope.
Tuomikoski, who has been Race Director of the competition in Levi for ten years, knows the event well and is sure that it will be another successful edition this year.
“FIS believes in what we do, and the slope is always in good shape. There has been a lot of development here in Levi over the past years. Levi Ski Resort has invested in snowmaking systems and ways of preserving snow. The key people of the competition have always been the same, so everything works great and building the event is in safe hands, ” says Tuomikoski.
The base of the race slope is made from stored snow from last winter, and the Levi Ski Resort has also produced more snow for the slope during the freezing November, which has made it possible to modify the slope profile.
“Artificial snow has made it possible to further shape the race slope. There are a couple of extra rollers on the steep part and also a taller one where the slope is normally flatter. This will certainly pose more challenges for the skiers”, concludes Tuomikoski.
First run of the women’s slalom starts on Saturday 23rd November at 11.15 am and on Sunday the men will open their slalom season at the same time.
The opening ceremonies for the slalom season starts on Friday at 6:30 pm on the front slope, women's public draw will follow at 7 pm. The programme then continues with a gala at the Hullu Poro Areena at 8.00 pm
