Ski racer Mikaela Shiffrin missed the first opportunity for her 100th World Cup victory. The exceptional runner fell in the final of the giant slalom in Kiladham.Lena Dürr had to struggle with the slopes and there were only spectators in the final.
Everything was ready for the big Shiffrin party. The exceptional 29-year-old athlete was aiming for her 100th win, was leading at half-time and had all the trump cards in her hand.In the decisive final round everything initially went according to plan, but in the middle part the American lost control and flew into the safety fence.
At the finish line, where thousands of fans were waiting, there was a sudden silence. Everyone stared at the screen and couldn’t believe what they were seeing. Relief only came when Shiffrin stood up after a brief treatment. It is indeed not yet clear if she is injured or if she will start in the slalom on Sunday (December 1, 4 pm in the Sportschau ticker).
Shiffrin – second chance Sunday?
It was a second chance to complete his masterpiece and celebrate 100 Alpine World Cup victories – no man has ever achieved this mark. It’s a little cheesy that she can do this at her home races in the US state of Vermont, not far from the school she once attended.
No matter when, the record will fall, all experts agree. On Saturday,Sara Hector from Sweden celebrated. She was second behind Shiffrin after the first round, defended her place with strong riding and took advantage of Shiffrin’s bad luck. Croatia’s Zrinka Ljutic moved from fifth to second, Switzerland’s Camille Rast came in third.
Brignone is eliminated
Federica Brignone, who won the first giant slalom of the season in Sölden, was furious. after one shot, she lost her rhythm in the final and drove down the goal. After finishing seventh in the first round, the Italian still had her sights set on the podium. The best giant slalom skier last winter, Lara Gut-Behrami, also had a bad day, too many steps slipped on the steep slope in both runs and even missed the top ten.
aicher is faster with a ski pole than Dürr
Lena Dürr, who finished ahead of the best women’s ski racer of all time in her World Cup victory on Spindleruv Mlyn in January 2023, knows how to upset Shiffrin. However, that was in the slalom, Dürr’s flagship discipline. The 33-year-old from SV Germering is currently feeling her way into the giant slalom, but she was already able to achieve a strong result with tenth place at the start in Sölden.
Though,Dürr had some problems in Killington. She lost the ideal line early on and was struggling more than she could on the steep slope, which she went too defensively. At the end she was 3.59 seconds behind and missed the second round in 34th place. This also applied to Fabiana Dorigo (49./+5.53).
Things got better for Emma acher. The German talent finished the race in 19th place and collected World Cup points for the first time this season. Aicher,25th in the first round,drove a little cautiously in the final and had already lost her full lead in the second intermediate time. In the first round she lost a lot of time after breaking a stick, but was faster with one stick than many of her opponents with two.
How can athletes manage pressure during high-stakes competitions, as seen in Mikaela ShiffrinS recent race?
Time.news Interview: Mikaela Shiffrin’s Unfortunate Miss at 100th World cup Victory
Editor (Time.news): Good evening and welcome,everyone. Today, we’re diving into a deeply engaging topic in the world of sports. Joining us is skiing expert and analyst, Anton Fischer. Anton, thank you for being here.
Anton Fischer: Thank you for having me! It’s always a pleasure to discuss the exciting world of skiing.
Editor: Let’s talk about Mikaela Shiffrin. she was so close to achieving her monumental 100th World Cup victory. What where your thoughts as you watched the race unfold in kiladham?
Anton Fischer: It was heart-wrenching, honestly.Mikaela is at the pinnacle of this sport. When she started strong and led at halftime, it felt like the celebrations were all but assured. though, skiing is a sport where the smallest miscalculation can lead to an unexpected fall, and that’s precisely what happened.
Editor: Absolutely.It’s astonishing to think about the pressure she must have felt.Do you think that pressure contributed to her loss of control as she approached that final stretch?
Anton fischer: It’s definitely possible. At this level, the athletes are under immense pressure, especially when chasing past milestones like her 100th win. It’s not just about physical skill; mental resilience plays an enormous role. In skiing, a moment of doubt or slight hesitation can spell disaster, as we saw with Mikaela.
Editor: Speaking of her competitors, how did Lena Dürr perform under similar pressure in the final?
Anton fischer: Lena Dürr faced her own challenges on those slopes. Competing against someone like Shiffrin can be incredibly intimidating. Despite struggling with the course, she demonstrated remarkable perseverance. It’s notable for any athlete to maintain focus and strive for their best when they no a legend is right there competing.
Editor: That’s a great point. The atmosphere must have been electric,especially with thousands of fans around. How does crowd presence impact an athlete’s performance in that crucial moment?
Anton Fischer: The crowd’s energy can be a double-edged sword. For many athletes, a supportive crowd boosts confidence and morale. However, with such a large turnout, the expectations can elevate the pressure. It’s vital for competitors to tune out distractions and remember to focus on their own performance rather than the occasion itself.
Editor: So true. With her 99 victories, Shiffrin has established herself as one of the best in the sport’s history. What does this setback mean for her career moving forward?
Anton Fischer: This incident is undoubtedly a setback, but it doesn’t define her career by any means. Mikaela has proven time and again her ability to bounce back stronger. If anything, it may serve as motivation to reclaim that title and ultimately achieve her goal.
Editor: Inspirational! As an expert, what advice would you offer to young skiers who idolize someone like Shiffrin and aspire to reach similar heights?
Anton Fischer: I would tell them that persistence and resilience are key. Mistakes and setbacks are inevitable in any sport, but what matters is how you respond to them. Embrace the journey, training hard while also cultivating mental strength. Every champion faces their challenges,and it’s the will to overcome them that sets them apart.
Editor: Wise words, Anton. Thank you so much for your insights today. It’s always enlightening to hear from someone with your expertise.
Anton Fischer: My pleasure! Thank you for discussing such a passionate topic with me.
Editor: And to our viewers, keep following Mikaela shiffrin’s journey—we’re all eager to see what she will achieve next. Until next time!