Mikaela Shiffrin has once again proven her unmatched prowess on the slopes, achieving an incredible fifth consecutive victory in slalom, showcasing yet another masterclass performance.
"It was quite a battle out there," Shiffrin remarked, reflecting on the challenging and unpredictable conditions of the race. "This race had its quirks," she noted after her initial run, adding that it was particularly tough and anticipated more bumps ahead.
However, the second run turned out to be considerably more favorable for the competitors compared to the first. Zrinka Ljutic, the reigning Slalom champion from Croatia, demonstrated a return to form during her second attempt, temporarily taking the lead before ultimately finishing in eighth place. Meanwhile, Austrian skiers Katharina Liensberger and Katharina Truppe delivered strong performances, securing fourth and fifth places respectively.
Before her run, Shiffrin received instructions via race radio to adopt an aggressive approach, and she certainly delivered. She shifted into high gear, executing sharper turns than anyone else had managed throughout the day, only making minor mistakes where others struggled with wider arcs.
Colturi showed impressive power and balance, while Rast matched Shiffrin’s intensity; however, a slight slip in the latter part of the course cost Rast a crucial tenth of a second.
Shiffrin had already dominated the previous four slalom races of the season, often winning by a margin of over 1.23 seconds. This time, however, the competition was fierce right until the end. Yet, she secured her 106th Audi FIS World Cup victory.
Was this the ideal way to wrap up the year? "Today was tough; you could really see the skill of these women," Shiffrin commented. "The conditions were challenging, creating a significant struggle, and the pressure was high. I gave it my all, delivering the best possible run. Whether it was perfect? I’m not sure if that’s the right term, but it definitely marked a notable conclusion to the year."
When asked about her key to success, she said, “Honestly, I can’t pinpoint it. It didn’t feel particularly great; I was surprised to finish with such a strong time. It was just one of those days. I want to express my gratitude to the crowd for their support and enthusiasm because on days like this, we truly perform for you."
Shiffrin also expressed admiration for Rast, stating, "I hold her in high regard; watching her ski is a pleasure. I made one mistake on this tricky course under these conditions, and the error Rast made on the final slope turned out to be the deciding factor. What set me apart was simply making fewer mistakes."
The statistics continue to pile up: following her win in the last slalom of the previous season at Sun Valley, Shiffrin has now claimed six consecutive Audi FIS World Cup Slalom victories, a record she had previously achieved during the 2018/19 and 2019/20 seasons.
She also holds the record for the most wins at this venue, Semmering, with four victories, while her closest competitors have only managed two.
“0.09 seconds is a slim margin,” Rast pointed out, acknowledging her steady improvement as she has now earned six podium finishes in her last fourteen slalom events.
Reflecting on her performance, she remarked, "It was a solid weekend. That tiny difference of 0.09 seconds is minimal. I’ll keep working hard, and hopefully, luck will swing my way next time. Competing from the top all the way to the bottom requires exceptional skill, and even the smallest mistake can cost you first place. You need flawless runs from start to finish."
Colturi is also on a promising upward trajectory. Although she continues to chase Albania's first-ever Audi FIS World Cup victory—this marks her seventh podium finish and fourth in the last five races—she is inching closer to that elusive win.
On the day Shiffrin celebrated her 69th slalom victory, Colturi was competing in her 67th World Cup event, pushing herself to secure a commendable third-place finish.
"In recent races, I’ve been stepping up my game, just trying to reach my limits. Winning was out of reach this time, but I aimed to do my best," she explained. "The snow conditions improved in the second run, so my mindset was to go fast and replicate my training, but it turned out to be a challenging second run.
"It’s fantastic to end the year on the podium, and I plan to approach the upcoming races with the same mindset. Each race brings me closer to my goal; I’m feeling strong in training, fast, and mentally prepared."
She sees Shiffrin as a perfect role model in her journey. "She’s truly incredible," Colturi said admiringly. "I strive to emulate everything she does. I’ve been trying to learn from her since I was five years old, so it's become second nature for me."
Mark your calendars for January 4th when the New Year kicks off with another slalom event in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia—an opportunity for competitors to challenge one of the greatest athletes of all time.
