Shiffrin takes win No. 78 with 1st GS victory in 2022

SEMMERING,AUSTRIA – Petra Vlhova, Mikaela Shiffrin and Marta Bassino. Photo: GEPA pictures

SEMMERING, Austria – Overall women’s World Cup leader Mikaela Shiffrin held on to a big opening-run advantage to win a giant slalom on Tuesday, claiming her first giant slalom of the newest campaign. She has now won World Cups in three different events this season.

The result marked Shiffrin’s fourth World Cup win of the 2022-23 season and 78th overall, leaving her four short of the women’s record set by her former teammate Lindsey Vonn.

It was the 15th GS win in total for Shiffrin, who was the 2018 Olympic champion, but the first since triumphing in Courchevel, France, in December 2021. She had just one podium result from the seven previous giant slaloms in the calendar year 2022.

“Very special,” Shiffrin said about ending the drought. “GS is one of the hardest events for me, but also, when I’m skiing well, then it’s just amazing.”

Petra Vlhova and Marta Bassino finished second and third, respectively.

The race was a replacement for the season-opening giant slalom that was canceled in October at another Austrian resort, Sölden, and is the first in a three-day tech series. This race is followed by another GS on Wednesday and a night slalom Thursday the 29th of December.

“The start of (an event) with three races is always a bit nerve-racking. You hope that you are in the right shape, that you can bring intensity to the start,” Shiffrin said.

With a massive first-run lead, Shiffrin had yet to start when Petra Vlhova skied amazingly and finished with the fastest final run of the day. Vlhova finished with a 0.18-second lead over the Italian Marta Bassino. The scene for a storybook finish had materialized. Shiffrin delivered an exciting conclusion. Using most of her 0.87 first-run advantage Shiffrin delivered the knockout blow, finishing 0.13 seconds ahead of her rival.

“You can hear the (finish area) announcer on the top, she’s announcing in English, so it’s really getting into my head,” Shiffrin said after the race.

After she heard the announcer enthusiastically call new best times for Marta Bassino and then for Petra Vlhová, Shiffrin tried to tell herself: “Just ignore it!”

“From the first turn I felt very good, I was very strong and dynamic, so I am super happy with my skiing,” said Shiffrin, who earlier this season won two slaloms and a super-G.

Shiffrin is increasing her considerable overall lead and she has won her fourth race of the season. However, even more uniquely, she has won in three different events. Both runs today reflect excellence. Say what they may. This woman is a grinder who never quits pursuing her best. In the end, all the best were in position for a victory, but today, it is Shiffrin.

“The second run was a bit wild sometimes, but I really enjoyed racing here. It’s not easy to win these races, with a big lead after the first run.”

When it came down to the fastest six from the first run, it was clear that the day would reward the brave. A good outcome would come to those willing to commit to the outside ski and arc it as much as possible. In the end, the podium hosted Shiffrin, Vlhova, and Bassino, but it is clear there is considerable competition among the best.

When the second run began, it was a relief to see the lead changes occurring regularly. The final run’s course preparation, fortunately, worked better than the first run. Woman after woman crossed the finish line in the lead. At first, nobody could get comfortable in the finish area leader’s chair.

After the first 15 women had finished the race, no one had moved more than three positions in either direction. The second run conditions rewarded anyone willing to push into the ski.

New Zealand’s Alice Robinson showed power and determination and led the group by 0.85 seconds. The former World Cup winner performed at an excitingly high level. With the fourth fastest time of the second run, Robison, who finished the first run in 16th, moved up seven spots before Norway’s Ragnhild Mowinckel took the lead. Robinson finished ninth. 

Stifel US Alpine Team member Paula Moltzan had another excellent day. Moving up five spots on the first run, she skied well to move up another three during the second. Moltzan used the seventh fastest final run to finish the race in 10th. She is skiing at a world-class level and is being rewarded with good outcomes whenever she reaches the finish. 

“I’m really excited with how I skied through really tough conditions. I’m happy to end up in the top 10 and now into the top 15, so hopefully with a better bib position I can keep making those baby steps forward,” said Moltzan.

Notably, Austria finished the day pleasing the crowd with eight women scoring, but the best of the team was Katharina Liensberger in 13th place.

It should be mentioned that USA coach Magnus Andersson’s course delivered a great day for the two US women who qualified for the second run.

Analysis of the top three, Paula Moltzan and Alice Robinson, and the day’s results

Results for Semmering GS December 27th, 2022

The Associated Press and USST contributed to this report.