Mikaela Shiffrin delivered another brilliant performance on Sunday in Gurgl, capturing her 103rd World Cup victory and her 66th in Slalom just a week after her win in Levi. After entering the season uncertain following two injury-marred years, the American now looks firmly back at her best.
Shiffrin dominated both runs despite saying the win was far from easy. She admitted she “had to push so hard” and felt stressed before the second run, but was proud to produce what she called her “best skiing again.” Her comeback is remarkable given that last winter she returned hesitantly following a deep puncture wound from a Giant Slalom crash in Killington. Strong summer training and two late-season Slalom wins helped rebuild her confidence, and a fourth place in the Sölden opener hinted at a turnaround.
Conditions in Gurgl were tricky, with Shiffrin noting the first-run snow was difficult, but the second run felt “more manageable,” allowing her to increase her lead at every split and win both runs for the second straight week.
Nineteen-year-old Lara Colturi once again emerged as Shiffrin’s closest challenger. The Albanian racer, daughter of Olympic champion Daniela Ceccarelli, earned her fifth career podium and her first back-to-back World Cup podiums after another second-place finish behind Shiffrin. Colturi was pleased she managed to perform despite soft snow something she typically struggles with and said she’s realizing she’s improving “every run, every race, every training.”
Camille Rast of Switzerland rounded out the podium in third after recovering from hip issues that had hampered her preparation. Nervous before her second run, she managed an excellent finish to edge teammate Wendy Holdener, who ended up fourth. Paula Moltzan of the U.S. took fifth.
With 26-year-old Rast gaining momentum and defending Slalom globe winner Zrinka Ljutic faltering after a second-run straddle, Colturi has quickly become the standout of the younger generation. Shiffrin, however, welcomes the challenge, saying she’s energized by the rising level of Slalom skiing and excited for what the future holds.
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