Mikaela Shiffrin wins giant slalom in Semmering to claim 78th World Cup victory
The American moves another step closer to the all-time World Cup winning record with her win in Austria, with Petra Vlhova of Slovakia second and Italy's Marta Bassino in third.
Alpine Skiing
Mikaela Shiffrin stormed to victory in the women's Giant Slalom in Semmering, Austria on Tuesday (27 December) to continue her countdown toward becoming the most successful alpine skiing World Cup winner of all time.
A 78th top step takes her within four of retired compatriot Lindsey Vonn on 82, and the all-time record of 86 from Sweden’s Ingemar Stenmark.
The American takes her third Giant Slalom victory here in Semmering, finishing in a combined time of 2:07.18 over the two races, 0.13s ahead of an increasingly in-form Petra Vlhova of Slovakia (2:07.31) and Marta Bassino of Italy in third (2:07.49).
"It's very special," said Shiffrin said about taking a first giant slalom win in nearly a year. “GS is one of the hardest events for me, but also, when I’m skiing well, then it’s just amazing.
“From the first turn I felt very good, I was very strong and dynamic, so I am super happy with my skiing,” said Shiffrin, who has won two slaloms and a super-G already this 2022/23 season.
France legend and two-time world champion in this discipline, Tessa Worley finished off the podium in fourth, while Bassino's compatriot, Federica Brignone claimed fifth.
Norway, Switzerland, Sweden and New Zealand bagged the next four positions courtesy of Ragnhild Mowinckel, Lara Gut-Behrami, Sara Hector and Alice Robinson, respectively with the fastest skier on home snow, Katharina Liensberger finishing 13th.
READ: Lindsey Vonn on Mikaela Shiffrin: 'She is the best skier that has ever lived in my eyes'
Mikaela Shiffrin extends overall lead
The first race post-Christmas break replaced the October-scheduled season-opening giant slalom in Soelden, Austria, which was cancelled due to adverse weather conditions.
Two originally scheduled races in Semmering, a giant slalom and slalom that take place on Wednesday (28 December) and Thursday (29 December), respectively, could give two-time Olympic champion Shiffrin a further pair of opportunities to encroach on the record-breaking numbers.
Ominously for her competitors, Shiffrin won all three events when Semmering last hosted races on three consecutive days in December 2016.
“The start of (an event) with three races is always a bit nerve-racking. You hope that you are on the right shape, that you can bring intensity to the start,” Shiffrin said.
Extending her lead at the top of the overall rankings to 675 points after today's win, the 27-year-old is also seeking a fifth big crystal globe, which would put her second on the all-time winner's list behind Austria's Annemarie Moser-Proll who has six titles to her name.
Italy's Sofia Goggia, who is sitting out this triple header of technical races, remains second overall (470), with a one position improvement by Vlhova to third (420).
Bassino remains atop the giant slalom rankings, with 241 points from the three races completed this season, while Vlhova, the 2021 overall title winner, improves two places to second (190). The reigning giant slalom world champion, Gut-Behrami is third (172) with Olympic champion, Hector fourth (172) and Shiffrin fifth (160).
FIS World Cup Giant Slalom: Semmering, Austria – Results - Tuesday 27 December
1. Mikaela Shiffrin (USA) 2:07.18
2. Petra Vlhova (SVK) Slovakia 2:07.31
3. Marta Bassino (ITA) 2:07.49
4. Tessa Worley (FRA) 2:07.66
5. Federica Brignone (ITA) 2:08.43
6. Ragnhild Mowinckel (NOR) 2:08.56
7. Lara Gut-Behrami (SUI) 2:08.61
8. Sara Hector (SWE) 2:08.70
9. Alice Robinson (NZL) 2:08.91
10. Paula Moltzan (USA) 2:08.99
Upcoming races in Semmering, Austria
Wednesday, 28 December - Giant Slalom
First run 10:00 CET
Second run 13:00 CET
Thursday, 29 December - Slalom
First run 15:00 CET
Second run 18:30 CET