Unstoppable Shiffrin edges ever closer to Vonn’s all-time record

The remarkable Mikaela Shiffrin (USA) secured her second career Audi FIS World Cup giant slalom double in Semmering, Austria on Wednesday and now, at the age of 27, she lies just four victories away from becoming the most successful female World Cup skier ever.

Lying second behind reigning GS world champion Lara Gut-Behrami (SUI) after run one, Shiffrin produced a masterful afternoon performance to finish in a combined time of 2:03.51, enough to secure her 79th World Cup crown.

One-tenth of a second back, Switzerland’s Gut-Behrami held on to second despite a challenging second run, while Marta Bassino retained her overall GS season standings lead by claiming her sixth successive podium place.

But, as is often the case, it was all about Shiffrin.

The USA superstar now has Lindsey Vonn’s record mark of 82 World Cup titles in close sight. While beyond that there lies just one more milestone; male skier Ingemar Stenmark (SWE) and his 86 career World Cup wins.

At this rate, it will not be long before Shiffrin tops the lot.

“Today I was a bit more nervous than yesterday, because of yesterday but it was still really nice skiing,” said Shiffrin, who also won the Semmering GS double in 2016.

On a cold, difficult day the Colorado native made it look like the second run bumps and ruts that caught out many – including Gut-Behrami and Beijing 2022 Olympic Games GS gold medallist Sara Hector (SWE) – did not exist as she swept to the top of the GS podium for the 16th time in her career.

Although she was quick to insist it was not as effortless as it seemed.

“I got in a good rhythm at the top and tried to carry the momentum for the bottom but it’s not easy,” Shiffrin insisted. “It was very dark and it was very bumpy these two days. I just tried to push.

“It’s easier when I expect it’s going to be difficult, I can push harder instead of going back.”

Gut-Behrami, who won the season-opener in Killington, found both runs a little trickier, despite being quickest down the rapid morning set.

“It was tough. The snow was really bumpy. I skied for sure faster than yesterday but I didn’t have really a good feeling,” said Gut-Behrami, who finished seventh in Tuesday’s first GS.

“I just tried to be fast and make the skis run. The second run with that mistake, I just tried to push to the finish line.”

Bassino, famously light on her skis, managed conditions as well as anyone to continue her impressive consistency in her favourite discipline.

“I am really satisfied about these days. I am here again on the podium,” said the Italian who pushed teammate Federica Brignone into fourth.

Canadian Valerie Grenier shook off the disappointment of disqualification after a strong run one in Semmering’s first GS on Tuesday to fly to just her third top-five World Cup finish. Her second run was the fastest of all, while Paula Moltzan (USA) once again produced her best in the afternoon to grab another top-10.

All eyes now turn to Thursday’s slalom in Semmering and not many people are likely to agree with the modest Shiffrin’s take on her chances of securing World Cup win number 80.

“I am going to try tomorrow but I don’t think I am going to win the race,” said the racer who has already claimed two World Cup slalom titles this season.

“I think Wendy (Holdener, SUI) is so strong and some of the other women. It’s going to be a tough race no matter what. I am really looking forward to it.”