Fabulous comeback: The ski world is amazed by Mikaela Shiffrin

Mikaela Shiffrin has made an impressive return after her six-week injury break. The American drove the competition to the ground in the Åre slalom – and can look forward to a special treat.

March 10, 2024

From: det

On January 26th, the ski world took its breath away. On the descent from Cortina d'Ampezzo, superstar Mikaela Shiffrin fell and crashed into the safety net. The American suffered a knee injury that forced her out for six weeks. On Sunday, Shiffrin reported back in the slalom in Åre - and was immediately back to her old self. She took the victory in an outstanding manner.

In the first run it was easy to see that Shiffrin still had to find her way around. Nevertheless, she took the half-time lead with a lead of two hundredths of a second. A magical run followed in the decision, with which she downright outclassed the competition. Second-placed Zrinka Ljutic was 1,24 seconds behind, Michelle Gisin in third was 1,34 seconds behind.

The 16th career crystal ball

Shiffrin's victory has a very special aftertaste: it made her win the small crystal ball in the slalom perfect. For the 28-year-old, it is the 16th ball of her career, the eighth in the Slalom World Cup. She also increased her victory tally to 96 triumphs, with 100 triumphs within reach. The overall World Cup is probably not possible for Shiffrin this year as she is more than 300 points behind Lara Gut-Behrami.

Shiffrin was immediately back to her old self. © APA/afp / PONTUS LUNDAHL

Åre is a place that lies Shiffrin. She celebrated her first World Cup victory in the Swedish winter wonderland in 2012. Eleven years later she achieved her 87th World Cup victory at that location, breaking Ingemar Stenmark's record. Now the fable comeback followed.

The podium, from left: Zrinka Ljutic (2nd), Mikaela Shiffrin (1st) and Michelle Gisin (3rd). © ANSA / Pontus Lundahl

The best Austrian on Sunday was the much-maligned Katharina Liensberger, who took 6th place. Meanwhile, there was nothing to gain for the Azzurre. Lara Della Mea (25th), Martina Peterlini (26th) and Federica Brignone (27th) had nothing to do with the top positions. Vera Tschurtschenthaler from Sexten failed to qualify for the second run.

The World Cup final is coming up in Saalbach next week. There are still a number of decisions pending for men and women.