Schwarz, Vlhova Take Career-First City Event Wins In Oslo

Austrian Marco Schwarz and Slovakian Petra Vlhova both claimed career-first city event victories at the Audi FIS Ski World Cup in Oslo (NOR) to kick off 2019 on New Year's Day. Racing in the iconic ski sport venue of Holmenkollen with picturesque views and ideal conditions, the athletes battled through multiple challenging rounds to reach the top step of the podium. 

For Schwarz, it was his first ever World Cup victory in any discipline. The technical specialist claimed the third podium of his career and the first in three seasons just before Christmas in Madonna di Campiglio, finishing second in the night slalom there. He bested Dave Ryding of Great Britain in the final at Oslo to secure his first win on the tour. Ramon Zenhaeusern of Switzerland outdueled Swede Andre Myhrer in the small final to round out the podium in third place.

Vlhova, meanwhile, faced her technical rival and the Overall leader Mikaela Shiffrin in the ladies' big final. The Slovakian's cross-blocking technique provided the competitive advantage needed to secure her first-ever win in the discipline. Wendy Holdener of Switzerland bested Swede Anna Swenn Larsson to complete the ladies' podium for the night. 

“Finally, I did it,” Vlhova said. “I beat Mikaela.”

Shiffrin, who entered the event as the top-ranked skier, advanced to the finals by defeating Norway’s Ragnhild Mowinckel in the opening round, then Canada’s Erin Mielzynski in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, she defeated Switzerland’s Wendy Holdener to advance into the big final against Vlhova.

The second-ranked Vlhova defeated Switzerland’s Aline Danioth in the opening round, Italy’s Irene Curtoni in the second round, and Sweden’s Anna Swenn Larsson in the semifinals to advance to the finals against Shiffrin.

Vlhova, using her height to her advantage, and therefore the more aggressive double-blocking technique, opened a quarter-second advantage over Shiffrin in the first run. The technique allowed Vlhova to find valuable hundredths on the top and bottom of the course when it was straight and not turny. She applied the same technique in the second run to ski away with her sixth career World Cup win, and first city event victory. Holdener defeated Swenn Larsson in the small final for third.

In the men’s event, Austria’s Marco Schwarz defeated Great Britain’s Dave Ryding for the victory. In the small final, Switzerland’s Ramon Zenhaeusern defeated Sweden’s Andre Myhrer for third.

With the victory, Vlhova took back 20 points from Shiffrin’s overall World Cup lead. However, Shiffrin still holds a commanding lead with 1,114 points to Vlhova’s 668-second place points.

The palpable excitement of the event made it a highlight of the holiday season as both tours now transition into the January racing block. The ladies and men will each contest a slalom race in Zagreb (CRO) on 5th and 6th January, respectively. 

See full men's results here.

See the full ladies' results here.