Mikaela Shiffrin Triumphs in Slalom, Extends Winning Streak

American skier Mikaela Shiffrin showcased her extraordinary talent on December 3, 2023, by winning a World Cup slalom event at Copper Mountain, Colorado. This victory marks her fourth consecutive win in slalom this season, maintaining her perfect record in the discipline during the Olympic season. Shiffrin’s latest triumph also represents her 104th overall World Cup victory and her 67th in slalom, further extending her own record in this category.

Skiing in moderate snowfall, Shiffrin built upon her first-run lead to secure a remarkable victory, finishing 1.57 seconds ahead of Germany’s Lena Duerr, who advanced from ninth place after the opening leg. The podium was rounded out by Lara Colturi of Albania, who overcame an early mistake in her second run to finish third, 1.85 seconds behind Shiffrin. Other notable finishes included Wendy Holdener in fourth place and Anna Swenn Larsson in fifth.

Emotional Win for Shiffrin

This win is particularly significant for Shiffrin, as it marks her first victory in Colorado in over a decade, since she claimed two slalom titles at Aspen in November 2015. Throughout her career, she has secured 12 of her 104 World Cup wins in the United States. Shiffrin also previously triumphed in the slalom at the 2015 World Championships in Vail-Beaver Creek, Colorado.

The atmosphere at Copper Mountain was electric, with fans showing their support. One sign read, “Go Mikaela we love you,” to which Shiffrin responded, “I could hear you guys from the start. Thank you,” after her second run. She expressed her exhilaration, describing the run as “just lights out amazing.”

Shiffrin’s success this season mirrors her previous performances. It is the fourth time in her career that she has won the first three slalom events of the season. In the past, she won the opening five slaloms in the 2018-19 season, four in 2016-17, and three in 2019-20.

Looking Ahead to the Olympics

The upcoming 2024 Milan Cortina Olympics, scheduled for February 6-22, will feature women’s Alpine skiing in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. Shiffrin is anticipated to be a key contender, having previously excelled at the 2021 World Championships in Cortina, where she entered four events and won four medals.

This week has been particularly emotional for Shiffrin, as she witnessed her fiancé, Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, return to competition after nearly two years sidelined by serious injuries. His return during a Thanksgiving super-G at Copper Mountain left her in tears.

Shiffrin is set to compete again next weekend in two giant slalom events in Tremblant, Quebec, before heading back to Europe for the remainder of the season. As she continues to dominate the slopes, her achievements serve as an inspiration to many aspiring athletes worldwide.