Hoefl-Riesch and Myhrer win slalom opening in Levi

Germany’s Maria Hoefl-Riesch and Sweden’s Andre Myhrer won the Audi FIS Ski World Cup slalom opener in Levi (FIN) on 10th-11th November. The German World Cup overall champion from 2010/11 and reigning Olympic slalom gold medallist raced ahead of home favourite Tanja Poutiainen. The American newcomer Mikaela Shiffrin scored third by earning her second career podium at just 17 years of age.

In the men’s slalom on Sunday, 11th November, Andre Myhrer picked up where he left things in the past season. After winning the final two slaloms and discipline title in 2011/12, he landed on top of the podium in Levi. Just 0.06 seconds behind Myhrer, Austria’s overall champion from 2011/12, Marcel Hirscher, crossed the finish line in second with Sweden’s Jens Byggmark rounding out the podium by scoring his first top three result since 2008.

Next to the exciting competitions, one of the legends of the sport retired in Levi: In front of his home crowd, Finland’s Kalle Palander, said goodbye to what has been his “world” since his first World Cup in Madonna di Campiglio (ITA) in 1996. The 35-year-old was a giant slalom and slalom specialist and celebrated his biggest victory by winning gold in the slalom at the FIS World Championships in 1999 in Vail Beaver Creek (USA). After a series of injuries, Palander has now retired and concentrating on his family.

After Levi, the white circuit will be travelling to North America where the next races will be held on 24th-25th November. While the ladies will compete in giant slalom and slalom in Aspen (USA), the men’s tour is moving on to the first speed events in downhill and super-G at Lake Louise (CAN).

Click here to view the full list of results from Levi for ladies and men.

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