Shiffrin wins 80th World Cup race as she chases history

Bring out the brooms. Mikaela Shiffrin (USA) claimed the slalom victory to complete the Semmering sweep. The American has won four races in a row on the Audi FIS World Cup tour.

It is the second time Shiffrin has won the Semmering treble. It is just another tally in her long list of accolades.

It is the 50th career slalom victory for Shiffrin, the most in any single discipline for a skier.

The three wins at Semmering gives Shiffrin 80 career World Cup wins, just two behind the women’s record held by Lindsey Vonn (USA). A mark that has not settled in for Shiffrin.

“I don’t really have anything I can say about that has not already been said. I don’t even understand it yet,” said Shiffrin.

Shiffrin’s second run under the lights in front of a raucous crowd was not as clean as she wanted but she still shined brightest this week in Semmering.

“It is pretty hard to put into words. I skied really strong all three days and was really happy with my feeling,” said Shiffrin.

“I knew it was going to be bumpy and had some tough spots but I have been trying not to look ahead too much,” said Shiffrin. “I did not want to be too conservative on the second run, it wasn’t really planned but I just tried to be athletic and smart and it worked okay.”

It was an All-American affair at the top of the podium with Paula Moltzan (USA) coming in second 0.29 seconds behind her countrywoman.

Shiffrin was happy to share her historic victory with her friend and teammate.

“Sharing a podium with Paula is one of the best podiums of my career. She is working so well and she did it tonight, that is pretty special,” said Shiffrin.

It was the first slalom podium for Moltzan and just her second career World Cup podium. Moltzan was visibly emotional after crossing the finish line.

“It has not settled in yet. I don’t have any thoughts yet and am still working on the words. I could not be prouder of myself and my team. It was even better to do it in front of my parents,” said Moltzan.

Moltzan’s previous best finish in a World Cup slalom was fifth.

Rounding out the top three was Lena Duerr (GER). It was her first podium of the season.

“I was at the start just thinking the last second run I had and I just wanted to ski down and have no regrets and say I did my best and this was all I could do. I was so happy to see the green light at the finish. This is how a second run should be. It is a perfect ending for this year,” said Duerr.

The third-place finish gives Duerr six career World Cup podiums.

The women’s World Cup tour continues in 2023 with two slalom races in Zagreb, Croatia.