Mikaela Shiffrin achieved her sixth slalom win, demonstrating exceptional skill in challenging conditions at the Semmering event in Austria. She narrowly defeated Switzerland’s Camille Rast, finishing just 0.09 seconds ahead. This marked Shiffrin’s fifth consecutive victory, emphasizing her dominance in the slalom discipline.
Criticism of ‘Unsafe’ Course Conditions
Despite her victory, Shiffrin expressed frustration regarding the race conditions. She described the Panorama course as unsafe, particularly for those starting later. During the first run, which began at 2:15 PM local time, only 40 out of 77 competitors completed the course due to deteriorating snow conditions. The organizers had to inject water and salt into the snow, but it still broke apart in several sections.
Course Conditions Impact Performance
- Only 40 of 77 starters finished the first run.
- Temperature drop improved conditions for the evening session.
- Mikaela Shiffrin stated, “It was not safe to ski for the girls.”
Shiffrin had started in 4th place and struggled during her first run, finishing with a deficit of more than half a second. “I overskied the course,” she admitted, reflecting on her slow time in the lower section.
Race Outcomes and Standings
In the second run, conditions were slightly better, leading to Shiffrin’s fastest time of the day. She completed her 106th career World Cup victory, further extending her lead in the slalom standings to 220 points over teen sensation Lara Colturi, who finished third. The race added to her impressive start to the season, mirroring her success from the 2018-19 season.
Upcoming Races
The women’s World Cup now shifts to Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, where athletes will face a giant slalom and slalom next weekend. With three additional races scheduled in January and two more in March, athletes are gearing up for tough competition leading to the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.
Final Standings at Semmering
| Place | Athlete | Time Behind Leader |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mikaela Shiffrin (USA) | 0.00 |
| 2 | Camille Rast (Switzerland) | 0.09 |
| 3 | Lara Colturi (Albania) | 0.57 |
| 8 | Zrinka Ljutic (Croatia) | 3.75 |
This thrilling event underscored Shiffrin’s resilience and skill while also highlighting the importance of ensuring safe race conditions for all competitors.
