Mikaela Shiffrin continues winning form with another Kronplatz giant slalom victory

Mikaela Shiffrin's hot form continued on Wednesday (25 January) as the American skier clinched her 10th World Cup win of the season, and 84th of her career, in a giant slalom race in Kronplatz, Italy.

The 27-year-old, who on Tuesday became the skier with most Women's World Cup race wins ever, took that momentum into Wednesday's second race.

Shiffrin, fourth down the slopes in the opening run, dominated to take a 0.51-second lead over current Olympic champion Sara Hector into the second attempt.

In tricky powder snow, Shiffrin – entering the second run with an 0.72-second advantage over Ragnhild Mowinckel after Hector dropped behind the Norwegian – was aggressive out of the start hut to increase her advantage in the race.

While the American let up a little to ski a controlled race, there were never any doubts that she would once more stand atop the podium. Her combined time of 2:03.28 was 0.82 seconds ahead of Mowinckel, with Hector third.

It's the first time in over three seasons Shiffrin has reached double-digit wins on the World Cup circuit. She now sits just two wins behind the overall World Cup wins record of legendary Swedish skier Ingemar Stenmark.

"Oh my gosh, I was pushing so hard and I just hoped I ended up on the right side of all the gates. Now I'm a bit dead mentally, just so tired, but when you ski like that it keeps your energy going. Just an incredible feeling," Shiffrin said to FIS TV.

Shiffrin's win was the 19th giant slalom win of her career, just one behind the record held by Vreni Schneider. Her victory puts her 118 points clear of Lara Gut-Behrami in the giant slalom standings and 611 clear of the Swiss skier in the overall.

With two slaloms in Spindleruv Mlyn next, Shiffrin can equal Stenmark before the end of the week.

Results – Kronplatz giant slalom, Wednesday 25 January 2023

1. Mikaela Shiffrin (USA) 2:03.28
2. Ragnhild Mowinckel (NOR) +0.82
3. Sara Hector (SWE) +1.19
4. Petra Vlhová (SVK) +1.37
5. Lara Gut-Behrami (SUI) +1.38
6. Tessa Worley (FRA) +1.65
7. Paula Moltzan (USA) +1.97
8. Federica Brignone (ITA) +2.03