Shiffrin Wins Lienz Giant Slalom.
When Mikaela Shiffrin can coast through the second run and still win the race, her rivals know the American has rediscovered her best skiing in giant slalom.
Racing in the giant slalom (GS) race at the Women’s World Cup on Thursday, Shiffrin secured her first win of the season in the discipline. Despite challenging course conditions, the American skier held on to a significant lead during the first run, ultimately clinching victory and setting new World Cup records.
With a commanding first-run performance, Shiffrin established a substantial advantage of 0.63 seconds over Sara Hector from Sweden and 1.63 seconds over Federica Brignone of Italy. Her dominance in the event was evident as she skillfully maneuvered through the difficult terrain, striking a balance between control and aggression.
In the second run, Shiffrin coasted through while maintaining her lead. Although she skied conservatively, posting only the 17th fastest time in the final run, it proved sufficient to claim victory by a margin of 0.38 seconds over Brignone. Shiffrin’s win marked her 22nd career victory in GS, solidifying her position as the all-time leader in the discipline. Moreover, it was her 92nd overall career win, further extending her record.
Reflecting on her remarkable performance, Shiffrin expressed her satisfaction with her progress and the execution of her skiing. She acknowledged the challenge of finding the right balance between preserving her lead and pushing harder in the second run. Shiffrin emphasized that she felt more comfortable in every GS race, paving the way for continued success in the future.
Shiffrin’s dominance in GS is reminiscent of last season, where she triumphed in seven out of ten events. Notably, her winning streak began in the late stages of December, mirroring her recent victory at the Austrian resort of Semmering.
Currently ranked third in the discipline standings, Shiffrin trails Brignone by 80 points and Lara Gut-Behrami from Switzerland by 45 points. Despite the challenges she faces, Shiffrin remains focused on the season as a whole and acknowledges that consistency is key in a marathon-like competition.
Shiffrin’s triumph in the GS event sets the stage for the upcoming slalom race scheduled for Friday. In the past, she has demonstrated her prowess in both disciplines and looks to continue her success on the same hill where she won a slalom four years ago.
The race’s first run experienced delays due to a crash involving a forerunner, who tests the course before the racers start. Additionally, former World Cup GS champion Marta Bassino slid off the course during her run, causing another brief delay. Fortunately, both incidents did not result in serious injuries.
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