Lara Colturi misses Sölden World Cup victory by 0.01 seconds
HEAD newcomer Lara Colturi finished second in the women’s giant slalom at the Audi FIS Ski World Cup season opener in Sölden, missing victory to Paula Moltzan by just one hundredth of a second.
The result equalled Colturi’s best World Cup giant slalom finish and led a strong opening-race performance by the HEAD Worldcup Rebels. Emma Aicher claimed third place for her first podium in the discipline, while five HEAD athletes finished inside the top eight.
Colturi equals her best giant slalom result
Colturi, who was born in Italy and represents Albania, also finished second in the Kranjska Gora giant slalom in 2025. Her Sölden performance delivered the third giant slalom podium of her career.
“It was very close today, a tough race. I gained a lot of confidence from this second place. Last season was difficult for me in giant slalom. The skis worked really well, and the whole team worked together very well. I’m very proud of that,” said Colturi.
HEAD Racing Director Rainer Salzgeber said the narrow margin showed the quality of the preparation behind Colturi’s first World Cup race since joining the team.
“It was an almost perfect start for us in the women’s race. When you lose the first race after changing equipment by such a narrow margin, it shows how well the whole team, and especially the serviceman, have worked. Everyone did a great job. I suspect Lara Colturi still has a little more in reserve. In that respect, it was an ideal start for her, giving her a great deal of confidence,” said Salzgeber.
First giant slalom podium for Aicher
Aicher added another career milestone with third place. The 22-year-old German had previously reached World Cup podiums in downhill, super-G and slalom, but had not previously achieved a top-three giant slalom result.
“That was really unexpected. Sölden is Sölden, and the slope is tough. I’ve never found it easy here, so this is really cool. I was able to pick up where I left off, which is something I never would have expected,” said Aicher.
Salzgeber added: “Emma Aicher also achieved the ideal result to start the season. It was her first podium in Sölden. The important thing now is that she doesn’t let it go to her head and stays calm and focused. She wants to compete in every race, and if she finishes third in the very first race, a giant slalom, that promises to make for an exciting season.”
Five HEAD racers inside the top eight
Sweden’s Sara Hector finished fourth, Switzerland’s Camille Rast took sixth and New Zealand’s Alice Robinson placed eighth to give HEAD five athletes in the leading eight positions.
Further top-15 finishes came from Sweden’s Estelle Alphand in 12th, A J Hurt of the United States in 13th and Sweden’s Hilma Lövblom in 15th. Switzerland’s Wendy Holdener finished 20th, Germany’s Lena Dürr 22nd and Switzerland’s Vanessa Kasper 28th.
In the men’s giant slalom, Atle Lie McGrath did not finish the second run after placing fifth in the first. Germany’s Anton Grammel moved from 30th to 15th, while Alexander Schmid finished 21st and Norway’s Henrik Kristoffersen 22nd.
Featured image: GEPA pictures.
