Anna Swenn Larsson overcomes back problems to take slalom for 2nd World Cup win

Swedish skier Anna Swenn Larsson earned her second career victory Sunday in the first women's World Cup slalom in nearly 13 years with neither Mikaela Shiffrin nor Petra Vlhova competing.

The American star and her Slovakian rival, whose gripping duels have been dominating women's slalom racing for years, are both out with knee injuries.

While Shiffrin still hopes to return over the next few weeks, Vlhova had her season ended when she tore ligaments in her right knee in January.

Shiffrin hurt her left knee, but avoided damage to the ligaments, while landing from a jump and crashing into the safety netting at a downhill in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, 16 days ago.

Swenn Larsson defended her first-run lead and beat Croatian prodigy Zrinka Ljutic by 0.35 seconds, posting a combined time of one minute 49.25 seconds in Soldeu, Andorra. After finishing, she lay down on the snow for 15 seconds.

"It's unbelievable," the Swede, who has been hampered by persistent lower-back problems.

"From not qualifying and being 24th [at slaloms last November] in Levi, it's a journey. I'm so proud of myself and of my team that worked really hard to get me back in shape."

Swenn Larsson previously shared a win with Wendy Holdener in Killington, Vermont, in November 2022 and was one of just five starters in Sunday's race who had won a World Cup slalom before.

"It's a dream come true. Even if it was so nice to share the first victory with Wendy, it's special to stand on the top by yourself as well," she said.

Shiffrin's teammate Paula Moltzan was 0.83 behind in third (1:50.08) for her second career slalom podium, less than 14 months after she was runner-up to Shiffrin at a night race in Austria.

Moltzan's achievement came a day after AJ Hurt finished