Overall girls’s World Cup chief Mikaela Shiffrin held directly to a large opening-run merit to win a large slalom on Tuesday, the American’s first triumph within the self-discipline in additional than a yr.
Carrying a lead of 0.72 seconds over Petra Vlhova from the primary leg, Shiffrin misplaced just about six-tenths of the merit when her Slovakian rival posted the quickest time within the ultimate run, however in the end received by way of 0.13 seconds.
The end result marked Shiffrin’s fourth World Cup win of the season and 78th general, leaving her 4 in need of the ladies’s report set by way of her former teammate Lindsey Vonn.
Marta Bassino, who received the former GS and stays within the lead of the self-discipline’s standings, was once 0.31 at the back of in 3rd. Olympic GS champion Sara Hector of Sweden trailed by way of 1.52 in 8th.
It was once the fifteenth GS win in general for Shiffrin, who was once the 2018 Olympic champion, however the first since triumphing in Courchevel, France, in December 2021. She had only one podium end result from the seven earlier massive slaloms within the calendar yr 2022.
“Very special,” Shiffrin stated about finishing the drought. “GS is one of the hardest events for me, but also, when I’m skiing well, then it’s just amazing.”
The race was once a alternative for the season-opening massive slalom that was once canceled in some other Austrian hotel, Sölden, in October, and is the primary in a three-day collection, adopted by way of some other GS on Wednesday and an evening slalom tomorrow.
“The start of (an event) with three races is always a bit nerve-racking. You hope that you are on the right shape, that you can bring intensity to the start,” Shiffrin said.
The American won all three events when Semmering last hosted races on three consecutive days in December 2016 and she was on her way to the first of her four overall World Cup titles.
Sofia Goggia, the Italian speed specialist who is runner-up to Shiffrin in the overall standings, does not compete at Semmering, enabling the American to extend her lead to 205 points.
Shiffrin laid the foundation for her victory with a near-flawless opening run.
She had a blistering start at Semmering and won considerable time on her rivals in the first 15 seconds of the run and posted the fastest split times in all but the last section.
“From the first turn I felt very good, I was very strong and dynamic, so I am super happy with my skiing,” stated Shiffrin, who previous this season received two slaloms and a super-G.
US ski team coach Magnus Andersson set the gates for the second run on the Panorama course, which was in solid condition despite days of mild weather in eastern Austria.
“For me, it is a lot better than I anticipated for the nice and cozy temperatures,” Shiffrin said.
“The second run was a bit wild sometimes, but I really enjoyed racing here. It’s not easy to win these races, with a big lead after the first run.”
Valérie Grenier posted the fourth-fastest time within the opening run however was once disqualified because the Canadian had left the beginning space too early.
Shiffrin’s American teammate Paula Moltzan positioned tenth, two weeks after incomes her career-best 8th at a GS in Italy.