Mikaela Shiffrin On Tuesday (December 27), she clinched victory in the women’s giant slalom in Semmering, Austria, continuing the countdown to becoming the most successful alpine skiing World Cup winner of all time.
78p the highest rank gives her four to a retired compatriot Lindsey Vonn at 82 and an all-time record 86 from Sweden Ingemar Stenmark.
The American takes her third giant slalom victory here in Semmering, finishing both races with a combined time of 2:07.18, 0.13 seconds ahead of the increasingly fit Petr Vlhova Slovakia (2:07.31) and Marta Bassino Italy in third place (2:07.49).
“It’s very special,” said Shiffrin of his first giant slalom victory in almost a year. “GS is one of the hardest competitions for me, but when I ski well it’s just amazing.
“From the first corner I felt very good, I was very strong and dynamic, so I am very happy with my skiing”, said Shiffrin, who has already won two slaloms and a super-G this season.
Legend of France and two-time world champion in this discipline, Tessa Worley finished on the podium in fourth position, while compatriot Bassino, Federica Brignone claimed the fifth.
Norway, Switzerland, Sweden and New Zealand took the next four places courtesy Ragnhild Mowinckel, Lara Gut-Behrami, Sarah Hector and Alice Robinsonrespectively with the fastest skier on his own snow, Catherine Liensberger ending at 13.
TO READ: Lindsey Vonn on Mikaela Shiffrin: “In my eyes, she is the best skier who ever lived”
Mikaela Shiffrin extends her lead in the general classification
The race’s first post-holiday break replaced the season-opening giant slalom in Soelden, Austria, scheduled for October, which was canceled due to inclement weather.
The two originally scheduled Semmering races, the giant slalom and giant slalom, which will take place on Wednesday (December 28) and Thursday (December 29) respectively, could give two-time Olympic champion Shiffrin another pair of opportunities to break into record numbers.
Ominously for her competitors, Shiffrin won all three events when Semmering last hosted the races for three consecutive days in December 2016.
“The start (of an event) with three races is always a bit nervous. You hope you’re in good shape, that you can provide intensity at the start,” Shiffrin said.
Extending her lead at the top of the overall standings to 675 points with today’s victory, the 27-year-old is also looking for a fifth great crystal globe, which would put her second on the all-time winners’ list behind Austria. Annemarie Moser-Proll which has six titles to its name.
Italy Sofia Goggiawho ranks among the top three of the technical races, remains second overall (470), with Vlhova moving up one place to third (420).
Bassino remains at the top of the giant slalom ranking with 241 points from the three races completed this season, while 2021 overall title holder Vlhova improves two places to second (190). Reigning giant slalom world champion Gut-Behrami is third (172) with Olympic champion Hector fourth (172) and fifth Shiffrin (160).
FIS Giant Slalom World Cup: Semmering, Austria – results
1. Mikaela Shiffrin (USA) 2:07,18
2. Petra Vlhova (SVK) Slovakia 2:07.31
3. Marta Bassino (ITA) 2:07.49
4. Tessa Worley (FRA) 2:07.66
5. Federica Brignone (ITA) 2:08.43
6. Ragnhild Mowinckel (NOR) 2:08,56
7. Lara Gut-Behrami (SUI) 2:08.61
8. Sarah Hector (SWE) 2:08,70
9. Alice Robinson (New Zealand) 2:08.91
10. Paula Moltzan (USA) 2:08.99
Upcoming races in Semmering, Austria
Wednesday, December 28 – Giant Slalom
First run at 10:00 CET
Second heat 13:00 CET
Thursday, December 29 – Slalom
First run at 15:00 CET
Second run 18:30 PST
