The best slalom skiers meet in Levi (FIN)
Nov 14, 2018·Alpine Skiing
Lapland is what we imagine as “winter wonderland”. Snowy landscapes, cold temperatures, wild reindeers, and with a little bit of luck you may even see the northern lights and encounter Santa Claus.
The best alpine ski racers of the world have met in this fabulous atmosphere every November since 2004, to open the Audi FIS Ski World Cup slalom season in Levi (FIN). This winter again, a ladies’ slalom will be held on 17th November and the men’s will compete on the Levi Black on 18th November.
Last winter, Petra Vhlova emerged victorious in the ladies slalom, ahead of Mikaela Shiffrin and Wendy Holdener. Levi is the only venue where the Slovak athlete has recorded multiple podiums and she can become the first woman to claim back-to-back wins in the Finnish ski resort.
On the men’s side, last year’s winner was Felix Neureuther. The German superstar got injured shortly after the race in Levi and had to put an end to his 2017/18 season. After long months of rehab, Neureuther was back on skis this summer and is ready to defend his title in Levi, even if he admits it will be difficult. Marcel Hirscher, who finished 17th due to a broken ankle last year, Henrik Kristoffersen and Mattias Hargin, who rounded out the podium last season, are eager for revenge.
As per tradition, the winner of the race in Levi becomes the proud owner of a reindeer. “I am really excited to be back in Levi after one year and to visit my reindeer Igor, he is really nice,” Petra Vlhova said as she visited her reindeer in the Lappish farm of Ounaskievari.
Follow the events live on our website.
Read more about the World Cup Levi in our event fact sheet: Ladies' SL & Men's SL Levi.
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