Åre, Sweden – Latvian skier Dženifera Ģērmane continued her impressive form, achieving a career-best sixth-place finish in the World Cup slalom race in Åre, Sweden, this past weekend. The result marks the second time this season Ģērmane has set a new Latvian record in World Cup competition, and she attributes her success to a shift in mindset – focusing on enjoying the race itself.
The 22-year-old Ģērmane, one of the youngest competitors regularly challenging the established stars of the slalom circuit, navigated a challenging course and a field of seasoned veterans. Her performance in Åre underscores a remarkable season marked by resilience and a growing confidence on the international stage. The Latvian skier’s consistent improvement is particularly noteworthy given recent setbacks, including an injury that sidelined her for a period earlier this year.
According to reports from Latvian Television, Ģērmane admitted after the race that her approach had changed. “Usually, when I try to enjoy it, that’s when good results come,” she said. “This season has had its ups and downs. The last two months have been more demanding with injuries and things like that, so it’s great to have improved this [Latvian] record twice this season.”
The race wasn’t without its challenges. Ģērmane experienced some difficulties in the first run, momentarily questioning her ability to finish the course. However, she regrouped for the second run, adopting a more aggressive and determined approach. “I told myself I had nothing to lose and just had to go for it, so there would be no regrets,” she explained. She was among the fastest in the final section of the second run, a feat she noted was relatively rare for her.
Her two-run combined time placed her just two-hundredths of a second outside the top five, a testament to her rapidly improving skill and consistency. The victory in Åre went to American Mikaela Shiffrin, who finished in a time of 1 minute and 43.35 seconds, continuing her dominant run this season. German Emma Aicher secured second place, and Swiss skier Wendy Holdener rounded out the podium in third.
The demanding nature of alpine skiing means injuries are an inherent risk, and Ģērmane acknowledges this reality. “In alpine skiing, there are many risks, and injuries are part of the sport,” she said. “So, it’s logical that sometimes things go better, and sometimes they go worse. You have to be able to keep your head clear and continue to do what you know how to do.”
Competing against the world’s best, particularly Shiffrin, is a motivating factor for Ģērmane. She expressed admiration for Shiffrin’s consistent performance, especially her ability to extend her lead in the second run. “Shiffrin is admired by everyone, especially for her second runs, when the American continues to increase her lead over her competitors,” Ģērmane noted, adding with a smile that Shiffrin’s success sometimes makes her question whether she’s chosen the right discipline.
Despite a season that included a disappointing early exit at the Olympic Games in February following a fall in the first run, Ģērmane remains optimistic. She previously achieved a then-Latvian record seventh-place finish in Kranska Gora earlier this season, demonstrating her potential for consistent top-ten results. The recent success in Åre builds on that momentum.
Looking ahead, Ģērmane is focused on the final slalom race of the World Cup season, scheduled for March 24th in Lillehammer, Norway. This will be her first time competing in Norway, and she acknowledges the unfamiliar terrain will present a new challenge. After the season concludes, Ģērmane plans to return home to Latvia and potentially take a well-deserved break in a warmer climate.
Ģērmane currently sits in a tie for 15th place in the slalom World Cup standings with 116 points, alongside 2021 world champion Katharina Liensberger. Shiffrin leads the overall World Cup standings by a significant margin, with 880 points, while Ģērmane is 52nd overall.
The Latvian skier’s progress is a source of pride for her nation, and her ability to overcome adversity and embrace the joy of competition is inspiring. Her continued success will undoubtedly encourage a new generation of Latvian skiers to pursue their dreams on the World Cup circuit.
Next up for Ģērmane is the World Cup slalom in Lillehammer, Norway on March 24th. Fans can follow updates on the FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup website and through Latvian sports news outlets.
