Mikaela Shiffrin continues her impressive streak of victories in the slalom events of the Olympic season, showcasing dominant performances with significant winning margins. The American skiing star secured her 105th World Cup triumph in Courcheval, France, as her main rivals faltered in the opening run of a night race on Tuesday.
Maintaining her lead from the first run, Shiffrin completed the course in one minute 42.50 seconds, finishing 1.55 seconds ahead of Camille Rast from Switzerland and 1.71 seconds ahead of Emma Aicher from Germany. This victory marks Shiffrin’s fourth consecutive win this season and her fifth consecutive win, including the final race of the previous season.
With her latest achievement, Shiffrin solidifies her position at the top of the overall standings with 558 points, followed by Alice Robinson (394), Camille Rast (343), and Emma Aicher (319). Laurence St-Germain from St.-Ferreol-les-Neiges, Quebec, climbed to 13th place in the second run, claiming the top Canadian spot, finishing 3.97 seconds behind Shiffrin, while Amelia Smart from Invermere, British Columbia, secured the 23rd position.
Shiffrin’s remarkable victories this season have consistently exceeded one-second margins, with three of them surpassing 1.5 seconds each. Her average winning margin across the races stands at 1.5025 seconds, reflecting her exceptional form and dominance on the slopes.
Reflecting on her performance, Shiffrin expressed her focus on pushing forward without hesitation. Despite the challenges posed by her competitors, Shiffrin remains determined to maintain her winning momentum and embrace the feeling of success.
In a night marked by difficulties for many top contenders, Lena Duerr from Germany and Lara Colturi, an Italian skier representing Albania, faced setbacks during the competition. Wendy Holdener managed to secure a seventh-place finish despite a mishap at the end of her first run, demonstrating resilience in the face of adversity.
Katharina Truppe from Austria claimed the fourth spot, while American skier Paula Moltzan showcased a strong second run performance to move up from ninth to fifth position. Shiffrin’s victory in this event marks her 68th World Cup slalom win, adding to her impressive list of achievements in alpine skiing.
Looking ahead, the focus shifts to the upcoming Women’s alpine skiing events at the Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, where Shiffrin aims to build on her past successes. As the competition intensifies, Shiffrin remains a formidable force in the world of alpine skiing, with her eyes set on further triumphs in the sport.
