Shiffrin Breaks First Record of the Season in Levi, Finland
Mikaela Shiffrin smoked the field in the 2019/20 slalom season opener in Levi, Finland, winning the race by 1.78 seconds over Switzerland’s Wendy Holdener. Going into the second run, Shiffrin and Slovakia’s Petra Vlhova had been neck and neck, but a big mistake made by Vlohva at the top of the course prevented her from finishing her second run, and the win went to Shiffrin without much contest.
For Shiffrin, this means that she has officially broken Ingemar Stenmark’s World Cup record for most slalom wins, bringing her slalom win total up to 41 at the age of 24. Shiffrin has won four times in Levi alone, meaning her reindeer collection (the traditional prize awarded in Levi) shall grow as well.
Austria’s Katharina Truppe, who finished Saturday’s race in third, earned her first career World Cup podium. Norway’s Nina Haver-Loeseth also had a strong start to the season, finishing in the top five in her first race back from a serious knee injury after crashing in Semmering early last season.
The United State’s Paula Moltzan saved herself from a few costly mistakes made in the first run, and completed the race in 20th overall, scoring her first World Cup points of the season. Unfortunately, Nina O’Brien hip-checked and skied out during her first run, and although she was able to finish, she did not qualify for a second run.
Stayed tuned for full race coverage.
Top 10
- Mikaela Shiffrin (USA): 1:57.57
- Wendy Holdener (SUI): +1.78
- Katharina Truppe (AUT): +1.94
- Anna Swenn Larsson (SWE): +2.41
- Nina Haver-Loeseth (NOR): +2.51
- Michelle Gisin (SUI): +3.17
- Katharina Liensberger (AUT): +3.24
- Katharina Huber (AUT): +3.40
- Martina Dubovska (CZE): +3.67
- Lena Duerr (GER): +3.73
For full race results, please click here.
About the Author: Mackenzie Moran
