Skiing-Shiffrin captures World Cup win 91 in St. Moritz downhill
2023.12.09 08:22
© Reuters. Dec 3, 2023; Mont Tremblant, Quebec, CAN; Mikaela Shiffrin of the United States reacts after the second run of the giant slalom race in the women’s alpine skiing World Cup at Mont Tremblant. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo
ST MORITZ, Switzerland (Reuters) -American Mikaela Shiffrin claimed a record-extending 91st alpine skiing World Cup victory when she won the downhill at St. Moritz on Saturday.
The twice Olympic gold medallist recorded a two-run time of one minute 28.84 seconds for her fourth career World Cup downhill win and first at the Swiss resort, putting her hand over her mouth in surprise when she slowed to a stop.
Shiffrin edged Italy’s Sofia Goggia, who finished 0.15 behind after a ski buckled briefly near the end of her second run.
“It was so much fun, I don’t know if you can hear it in the video but I’m going down the course like: ‘Weeeee! Woo-hoo! Oh no!’ I think the commentary might be pretty funny. At least in my head, I’m just like freaking out the whole way down,” said Shiffrin.
“Winning World Cup races is hard and I never take it for granted,” the 28-year-old added.
“Especially this season, there’s so many athletes who can win and I never expect to be in front of somebody. Every time I race I know I have to really earn that if I want to be on the podium and winning, and today is no different.”
It was Shiffrin’s first World Cup downhill win since March 2022 and her third win this season after two slalom victories.
Italian Federica Brignone rounded out the podium.
There was a long delay when Austrian Elisabeth Reisinger was taken off the course on a stretcher with an apparent leg injury.
The race was cut short five skiers later due to conditions and so 21 skiers did not start.
