Mikaela Shiffrin moved closer to an Olympic medal on Wednesday after a superb opening run in the women’s slalom at Tofane. The American star clocked 47. 13 seconds and took a strong early lead. She was 0. 82 seconds ahead of Germany’s Lena Duerr among the early starters. After several near misses in these Games, the 30-year-old now needs only one clean second run to reach the podium and end a long Olympic medal drought.
Shiffrin attacked the course from the start and carried impressive speed. She briefly stumbled midway through a gate but recovered instantly. At the finish she showed her emotions and celebrated her time.
Sweden’s Cornelia Oehlund was third, one second behind. Switzerland’s Camille Rast stood fourth and Wendy Holdener followed. Shiffrin arrived at the start still searching for her first medal in the Dolomites after finishing fourth in the combined and 11th in giant slalom.
Slalom strength gives Mikaela Shiffrin best chance at Milano Cortina
Slalom has always been Mikaela Shiffrin’s strongest event. She already secured her ninth World Cup season title in the discipline. She achieved seven wins and one second place in eight races this season.
That form made her a serious contender in Italy even though she was not favored in giant slalom.
She started seventh under clear skies on a course described by U.S. team staff as very fast and demanding. Her opening sector was the quickest among the leading racers. Her only mistake came when she clipped a gate. For a moment another Olympic setback looked possible, but she quickly regained balance and rhythm. Her lower body guided her skis smoothly as she rebuilt speed.
A medal would be significant for her Olympic record. She won slalom gold in Sochi as a teenager. However, she left the Beijing Games without a medal in six races. She said before arriving in the Dolomites that those difficult days were behind her and that she felt ready again.
Her fourth place in the combined came after a slow slalom leg that pushed her and teammate Breezy Johnson off the podium. In giant slalom she finished 11th, only three-tenths of a second away from the medals.
If her second run matches the first, Shiffrin is strongly placed to finally stand on the Olympic podium once more.
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