Tom Dubravec / CROPIX
Before Zrinka, Janica Kostelić won three slalom globes (in 2001, 2003, and 2006), and Ivica Kostelić won two (in 2002 and 2011).
Ljutić began the 2024/2025 season with solid performances, including a sixth-place finish in Levi and ninth in Gurgl. She claimed her first career victory on December 29, 2024, in Semmering — the first win for Croatian women’s skiing in 18 years. Two more victories followed: on January 5, 2025, in Kranjska Gora, and in Courchevel, France. She also finished second in Sestriere and tenth in Åre.
Going into the final race of the season on March 27, 2025, in Sun Valley, Ljutić led the slalom standings with 515 points, ahead of Switzerland’s Camille Rast (474 points) and Austria’s Katharina Liensberger (464 points). Despite finishing 10th in that race, she earned 26 points, which was enough for her to secure the overall win with 541 points, ahead of Liensberger (509 points) and Rast (492 points).
This achievement is even more remarkable considering Ljutić earned points in nine out of ten slalom races this season, including three wins and one second-place finish. Additionally, she finished fourth overall in the World Cup standings with 816 points, competing only in slalom and giant slalom events.
By winning the Small Crystal Globe, Zrinka Ljutić has cemented her status as one of the world’s top slalom skiers and continued the rich tradition of Croatian skiing.