Cortina - SL prediction

Wendy Holdener for slalom top step.

    Mikaela Shiffrin should win Slalom gold; I’m picking Wendy Holdener.

    I’m learning the Olympics are about stories, and about mood. Beginning with the understanding that winning, or just finishing well, in any given race has 50-50 odds, you then try to read pre-race nuance, the vibe.

    My impression is that Mikaela is fed up with the Olympics, particularly how their overwhelming publicity ignores/belittles the World Cup, which is what professional ski racing is all about. She’s stoked to win gold, naturally—but I sense she’s a bit off. Perhaps it’s gamesmanship, but her competitive mien so far seems mellow, come-what-may. Smoking the field will enshrine Shiffrin’s public divinity. She can certainly do it; I just think she’s beyond such measure. Her Highness will do her best tomorrow. If the plebes aren’t satisfied, fuck ‘em.

    Holdener since 2012 is SL T5x69, including T3x39…and 2x1st. She’s been affected more than anyone by Mikaela’s dominance. She ran 4 disciplines for a few years; in 2018 finished Overall 2^nd. Overall 3d in 2019. EOS SL podium four times; 3d in standings this year.

   Wendy is one of WAWC’s brightest racing stars, and a wonderful person. She skipped GS at Cortina to focus upon Slalom. (She’s EOS GS T8x3.)

    She’s due for a big, glorious race!!

    WEATHER: Forecast is partly cloudy with temps mid-20s Fahrenheit, same as GS. Good.

The course will be set on same piste as the Giant Slalom. Not very steep, compared to most WAWC tracks, I understand. Though as we saw, the rolling terrain is tricky.

    I think Lara Colturi could break out in the spotlight, and Petra Vlhova was skiing well before DNF in Combined. In GS Lara faltered after 4^th fastest first run; I think she’s shaken the Olympic nerves. And after Fede’s triumph, I ain’t counting out Petra. 23d start position a hindrance, though.

    I’d love to see Lena Duerr put together two strong runs and medal. She so deserves it.

    Camille Rast looked off-kilter in GS—aggressive but not sharp. Olympic pressure may be to blame. We’ll see if she shakes it off. In any event, Cami will be a Tech Big Dog for the next six years or so.

Paul Moltzan...oh man. Career year. Tied 4th fastest in Combined slalom run. X Factor for podium.

Katherina Huber is peaking; Emma Aicher too. Would be great to see Zrinka Ljutic finish up there. Maybe she’ll run a relaxed, fluid race to offset a sour WAWC season.

For the later starters, I’ll pick Caitlin McFarlane and Nina O’Brien to do well. Nina ripped fastest 2^nd run in GS, to tie with Asja Zenere.