Shiffrin leads slalom, closes in on record World Cup win 87

Mikaela Shiffrin. Photo: GEPA pictures

ARE, Sweden — Mikaela Shiffrin took a big lead in the opening run of a women’s World Cup slalom Saturday as she positioned herself for a record-setting 87th career win.

Skiing with the knowledge that she has accomplished her biggest season goals, Shiffrin dominated the opening run of the Åre slalom.

“It’s nice to race today. After such an incredible day yesterday, I feel like no pressure,” Shiffrin said.

Swedish skier Anna Swenn Larsson delighted the home crowd with the second-fastest run (+0.69). Switzerland’s Wendy Holdener will enter the afternoon in third (+0.94). Notably the fastest three have all won 2022-23 World Cup slaloms.

Using the home crowd’s energy to her advantage, bib 14 Sweden’s Hanna Aronsson Elfman sits in fourth.

Shiffrin’s first run was a display of excellence. She left the gate in full attack mode and delivered impressive skiing at every gate. She is skiing with a clarity rarely witnessed in sports. It seems likely she will win her 87th World Cup and break the career victory record she shares with Ingemar Stenmark.

Two additional North Americans join Shiffrin among the fastest 10. Paula Moltzan is racing in her first slalom since having hand surgery. Moltzan skied with courage and expertise and is fifth. World Champion Canadian Laurence St-Germain is sixth. St-Germain’s teammate Ali Nullmyer used a quick second sector to qualify 22nd.

A testament to the quality of the race surface is that six women who started after the 30 were able to qualify for the afternoon run. France’s bib 38 Marie Lamure was the fastest among them and is currently 10th.

Top 30 first-run results and analysis of the fastest three and other top 30 North Americans

Analysis of the fastest three and other top 30 North Americans

The Associated Press contributed to this report.