Shiffrin Clinches Slalom Crystal Globe, Wins 108th World Cup
Stifel U.S. Ski Team alpine star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Mikaela Shiffrin delivered another historic performance Sunday, Jan. 25, earning her 108th career World Cup victory with a dominant win in the women’s slalom at Špindlerův Mlýn. With the victory, she clinched her ninth career Crystal Globe—setting a record for most discipline globe titles won by an individual athlete.
“This race for me is symbolizing hope, beginnings and new chapters in life,” said Shiffrin. “Something about this place is so special, I'm just always really happy to be here.”
Shiffrin was untouchable across both runs, charging from the start and finishing 1.26 seconds ahead of the field on run one to then win the race by a total margin of 1.67, reinforcing her status as the most successful alpine skier in history.
“I felt like there were so many things to think about during this day and I was not really thinking about the Globe, but I of course knew, it’s crazy,” said Shiffrin
The victory not only extended her all-time World Cup win record but also secured her ninth career slalom Crystal Globe, an unprecedented mark in the discipline, surpassing the previous record held by teammate Lindsey Vonn and retired great Ingemar Stenmark, who both had eight. To clinch the Globe before the Olympics underscores the sheer dominance of Shiffrin’s slalom skiing. It was her seventh slalom win this season, and 71st slalom victory of her career.
It was also an impressive day for young up-and-comer Liv Moritz, who not only earned her first World Cup points but also landed 13th with a great performance of two solid slalom runs. Mortitz adds to the long list of women who have scored points for the Stifel U.S. Ski Team this season. Mortiz is a dual sport athlete, and is also on the NCAA D1 soccer team at the University of Denver.
“I am super happy,” said Moritz. “I was trying to go into the second run with no expectations so I am just super proud of how I did.”
Rounding out the podium was Switzerland’s Camille Rast in second and Germany’s Emma Aicher in third. Teammates Paula Moltzan, Nina O’Brien and AJ Hurt were all sitting in a good spot after first run, in fourth, seventh and 16th place, respectively, but did not finish second run. Katie Hensien and Elisabeth Bocock did not finish first run. All are OK.
Following the slalom race, Shiffrin sits in first in the overall standings, extending her lead to 1,133 points, followed by Camille Rast of Switzerland and Emma Aicher of Germany. The success of the women’s tech team also extended their lead in the Nations Cup standings, with the U.S. team leading the overall standings, as well as in GS, slalom and downhill.
Špindlerův Mlýn marked the final World Cup for tech athletes before the upcoming Milano Cortina Olympic Winter Games in Italy, Feb. 7-22. The last races take place in Crans Montana for both men and women's speed prior to the Games.
RESULTS
Women's slalom
