American ski sensation Mikaela Shiffrin showcased her prowess in the first women's World Cup slalom of the season held in Levi, Finland. Shiffrin, a two-time Olympic champion, delivered a stellar performance in the opening run, setting herself up for a potential record-extending 98th career win.
Shiffrin demonstrated her exceptional skills by posting the fastest time at three of the four splits on the challenging Levi Black course. She established a commanding lead of 0.60 seconds over Lena Duerr of Germany, positioning herself as the frontrunner for victory.
Known for her dominance in the season-opening slalom in Finnish Lapland, Shiffrin has triumphed a remarkable seven times in the event, where the winner receives a unique prize of a reindeer.
Reflecting on her performance, Shiffrin expressed satisfaction with her run, stating, 'It felt good. I felt strong and solid with good energy. Despite some nerves due to it being the first race and first slalom of the season, I am pleased with how I managed my mentality and pushed with my skiing.'
Other notable skiers who finished close to the lead included Croatian prodigy Zrinka Ljutic, 2021 world champion Katharina Liensberger of Austria, and Shiffrin's teammate Paula Moltzan, with only a few seconds separating them from the top spot.
Although Moltzan briefly outpaced Shiffrin on the flat section of the course, she lost time on the steep part, ultimately trailing by 0.90 seconds. Shiffrin's main rival in slalom, Olympic champion Petra Vlhova, opted out of the race to allow more time for recovery from knee surgery last season.
Shiffrin's recent victories in slalom, including both races at the end of the previous season following her return from a knee injury, have solidified her status as a dominant force in the discipline. With an impressive record of 60 slalom wins and 97 victories overall, Shiffrin holds World Cup records across genders.
American skiing icon Lindsey Vonn, who announced her return to the U.S. ski team after more than five years since her retirement, is anticipated to compete in speed events later this season, adding further excitement to the upcoming competitions.
For more skiing updates and news, visit AP Skiing.
