Mikaela Shiffrin Dominates Slalom Lead After Initial Run
American Alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin showcased her prowess in the slalom event at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. During the first of two runs, she completed the course in an impressive time of 47.13 seconds. This performance gave her a remarkable lead of 0.82 seconds over her nearest competitor.
Mikaela Shiffrin’s Dominance in Slalom
The slalom run took place at the challenging Cortina d’Ampezzo course, featuring a vertical drop of nearly 600 feet. Athletes participate in two runs, and the combined times determine the medal standings. The second run is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. EST.
Current Standings
- Mikaela Shiffrin (USA): 47.13 seconds
- Lena Duerr (Germany): Second place
- Cornelia Oehlund (Sweden): Third place
Shiffrin expressed satisfaction with her initial run, describing it as clean and active, yet slightly on the edge. She reflected on the challenging moments during the run but emphasized her determination to push through until the finish line.
Shiffrin’s Olympic Journey
Slalom has been Shiffrin’s strongest discipline, contributing significantly to her record of 108 World Cup victories, 71 of which are in slalom. Her gold medal at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi marked a historic moment, making her the youngest ever to win in slalom at age 18.
However, she has faced difficulties in recent Olympic competitions, with her last medal occurring in 2018. Additionally, she had to overcome challenges from a serious crash in November 2024, which resulted in physical injuries and psychological impacts.
Recent Performance and Outlook
At the current games, Shiffrin and teammate Breezy Johnson finished fourth in the team combined event, and she secured an 11th place in the giant slalom. She candidly shared on Instagram prior to the slalom that her previous race did not meet her expectations, causing some disappointment.
In her pre-run reflections, Shiffrin mentioned feeling excited and prepared to face the nerves inherent in competition. She remains focused on executing her skiing from start to finish, emphasizing the importance of concentration over external distractions.
Mikaela Shiffrin’s journey in the slalom continues to draw attention as she aims to secure a medal at these winter games.
