Mikaela Shiffrin showcased her remarkable talent by clinching her second consecutive World Cup slalom victory of the Olympic season on December 3, 2023, in Gurgel, Austria. Dominating the race under sunny yet cold conditions, Shiffrin posted the fastest times in both runs, finishing with a commanding lead of 1.23 seconds over Italy’s Lara Colturi, who is competing for Albania.
This latest triumph follows Shiffrin’s impressive performance in the season’s opening slalom event in Finland, where she also excelled, winning by 1.66 seconds. In Gurgel, Shiffrin’s consistency shone through as she led after the first run by 0.31 seconds.
Shiffrin’s Impressive Track Record
Shiffrin’s victory marks her 66th World Cup win in the slalom discipline and her overall 103rd win, setting two new records. The podium in Gurgel mirrored last year’s results, with Switzerland’s Camille Rast finishing in third place, trailing Shiffrin by 1.41 seconds.
“It’s incredible to have such conditions,” Shiffrin remarked after the race. “I had to push so hard, but it was really nice with the sun on the second run. It was pretty much how I expected it, not easy, but I knew the others were pushing, so I had no choice. You have to go.”
Alongside Shiffrin and Colturi, another American, Paula Moltzan, rounded out the competitive field by securing fifth place in the race. Following this event, Shiffrin and Colturi now occupy the top two positions in both the slalom and overall World Cup standings after three events.
Looking Ahead to Upcoming Competitions
The World Cup circuit continues next weekend with a giant slalom and another slalom event scheduled for Copper Mountain, Colorado. As the Olympic season progresses, Shiffrin’s performance remains a focal point for skiing enthusiasts worldwide, highlighting her status as one of the sport’s premier athletes.
