Local hope Mikaela Shiffrin shook off the frustration of squandering what appeared to be certain victory in Friday’s World Cup giant slalom with a
ADVERTISEMENTLocal hope Mikaela Shiffrin shook off the frustration of squandering what appeared to be certain victory in Friday’s World Cup giant slalom with a flawless run in Colorado on Saturday.
The reigning Olympic and world champion looked in great shape and completed the course in an impressive two-run combined time of 1 minute, 39.81 seconds to outclass Veronika Velez Zuzulova of Slovakia.
Shiffrin, who more than doubled her lead on the second run with a superb display, was over three seconds clear of her nearest rival. The 20-year-old American has won four straight World Cup slalom races dating to last season – the longest streak in slalom by a female skier since Marlies Schild in 2012.
The battle for a podium place was intense as Sarka Strachova was eventually nudged out of the top three by Sweden’s Frida Hansdotter.
Maria Pietilae-Holmner, who had taken the lead late on with an impressive run, had to settle for fifth place.