Mikaela Shiffrin gave the rest of the field a lesson in Slalom skiing to open up an huge one and a half second lead after the first run of the final Women's World Cup Slalom of the season. Frida Hansdotter took second ahead of Marlies Schild in the final classification. ...Â
Shiffrin is barely nineteen years old and has taken nine World Cup race wins in just twenty eight starts on the Slalom World Cup. With this win she has equaled the record of slalom wins by an American, jointly held by Phil Mahre and Tamara McKinney; both were 24 when they achieved the feat. She has also equalled Picabo Street in the number of race wins in all disciplines, the third most successful behind Lindsey Vonn (59) and McKinney (18). And to add to these figures this is the second year in a row she has won the Globe!
While Hansdotter did her best to eat into the advantage held by Shiffrin, the American was able to ski safe and sound on the second run to coast to victory. With the Gold from the Olympics and the Globe already secured, this was as close to a victory parade as you will see on skis.
Marlies Schild, third in the race and also third behind Hansdotter in the season long standings must be thinking how she can get that next World Cup win. Shiffrin said after the race that when she gets her slalom skis on she just likes to go downhill and when she has that feeling, it is 'so great.' With the plan to start doing some more Super G for next season, this will open up the Overall for next season.
Can she replicate this form for the Giant Slalom and upset the Anna Fenninger challenge for the Giant Slalom crown battle with Jessica Lindel-Vikarby. The final day of the season promises to be just as exciting as this was - it has a lot to live up to!
Full Results
PICTURE: Mikaela Shiffrin with her second World Cup Slalom Globe in two years .... Â and she is just nineteen! CREDIT: ZOOM AGENCE