Slovaks excel in Zagreb

Triumphs help alpine ski racers to improve their position in World Cup standings.

Petra Vlhová (l) and Veronika Velez-Zuzulová (r)Petra Vlhová (l) and Veronika Velez-Zuzulová (r) (Source: SME)

Slovak female alpine ski racers dominated the World Cup slalom in Zagreb, Croatia on January 3. While Veronika Velez-Zuzulová won the race with a lead of 0.24 seconds, Petra Vlhová finished second.

Third was Czech racer Šárka Strachová, losing 0.52 seconds to Velez-Zuzulová, the SITA newswire reported.

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Velez-Zuzulová took advantage of the mistakes made by US racer Mikaela Shiffrin in the first round and is now only 10 points behind her in the slalom standings. It was her first victory in the current season and the fifth one of her career.

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“This triumph was difficult, from the start to the finish,” Velez-Zuzulová said, as quoted by SITA, adding she finally managed to win the race in Zagreb.

Since she did not feel well, she had to go to the hospital right after the end of the race.

Read also: Velez-Zuzulová second in World Cup race in Semmering Read more 

Vlhová also improved her position in the overall slalom standings where she is currently fourth.

“These are great emotions, but it’s worth it,” said Igor Vlha, the racer’s father, as quoted by SITA.

Both Slovaks also improved their positions in the overall World Cup standing: while Velez-Zuzulová moved up to sixth position, Vlhová is now ninth.

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