Focused, technically brilliant, hungry for success: In the duel of the ski queens, Mikaela Shiffrin drew level with the sole record holder Lindsey Vonn. In the giant slalom in Kranjska Gora, the American celebrated her 82nd World Cup victory, breaking the all-time record of superstar Vonn, who retired in 2019.
“II was incredibly nervous before the second round“Shiffrin said after her historic success. She tried not to think about the record.
On the rough course, Shiffrin once again drove towards the next success in the World Cup and a breathtaking record. The American had opened the race and was aggressive again in the second giant slalom competition in Kranjska Gora. In contrast to the previous day, where the successful podium collector was only sixth, Shiffrin was willing to take risks and drove through the course in an extremely narrow line.
With her precise set-up, the 27-year-old technical specialist set a best time in the snow in the first run, which her competitors couldn’t beat. Shiffrin was also on record course.
Brignone and Grenier close behind Shiffrin
But with the Italian Federica Brignone (+0.24) and the Canadian winner of the previous day Valerie Grenier (+0.39), two strong drivers were in close contact. Marta Bassino (0.73/ITA), Lara Gut-Behrami (+0.77/SUI), Sara Hector (0.85/SWE) and Petra Vlhova (+0.87/SVK) were also less than one placed in a good position.
Shiffrin before Bassino and Gut-Behrami
But as is so often the case, the order in the final changed: Gut-Behrami made it onto the podium with a brilliant run. However, she couldn’t get past the giant slalom specialist Marta Bassino. And Shiffrin? She was unstoppable again and celebrated her 82nd World Cup victory.
No DSV starter in the final
Jessica Hilzinger, on the other hand, did not make it into the top 30. With a deficit of 2.54 seconds, the 25-year-old DSV driver did not make it into the final run. Lena Dürr, who was eliminated the day before, also missed the final in 48th place.