Mikaela Shiffrin is excelling in slalom, while Lindsey Vonn continues to shine in downhill skiing at the age of 41.
Additionally, other American skiers are making their mark as the U.S. women lead the World Cup circuit with just over three weeks until the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
For the second time within four days, two American athletes reached the podium in a World Cup event, with Shiffrin and Minnesota’s Paula Moltzan finishing first and second in a night slalom in front of an enthusiastic crowd in Austria.
“It’s incredible to share this moment with Paula,” Shiffrin expressed in Flachau.
On Saturday, Vonn secured a downhill victory at another Austrian competition in Altenmarkt-Zauchensee, with teammate Jacqueline Wiles taking third place.
Shiffrin, who has triumphed in six out of seven slalom events this season, built upon her lead from the first run, finishing in one minute 50.52 seconds, 0.41 seconds ahead of Moltzan on a course made challenging by a few artificial rolls on the Griessenkar track.
Austria’s Katharina Truppe secured third place (1:51.17) in front of her home supporters, while Swiss racer Camille Rast, who recently defeated Shiffrin, finished fourth, 0.67 seconds behind.
USA’s Mikaela Shiffrin won Tuesday’s World Cup slalom race in Flachau, Austria with the winning time of 1:50.52.
There is only one more slalom event before the Winter Games commence on February 6.
Shiffrin achieved her record-breaking 107th World Cup victory, marking her 70th in slalom and sixth in Flachau.
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Shiffrin has big plans ahead of Olympics
Moltzan, who is still pursuing her first win, achieved her fourth career second-place finish and her third podium appearance of the season. Last season, she also won bronze in giant slalom at the world championships.
“I’m really thankful for getting closer to Mikaela, which has been my goal throughout the season,” Moltzan remarked.
Ali Nullmeyer from Toronto was the highest-placed Canadian in 21st (1:54.67), finishing just ahead of Laurence St-Germain from St. Ferréol-les-Neiges, Quebec, by one position and 0.01 seconds.
Kiki Alexander from Cochrane, Alberta, was among the 29 competitors who did not finish the first run, while Amelia Smart from Invermere, British Columbia, was disqualified for an unspecified reason.
