UPDATE: In a thrilling showdown at the World Cup race in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, Swiss skier Camille Rast has taken the lead over American star Mikaela Shiffrin by just one-tenth of a second after the opening run. This intense slalom face-off is heating up, with Rast challenging Shiffrin’s dominance for the second consecutive week.
Shiffrin, who has won all five slaloms this Olympic season, had a phenomenal start, clocking a time of 50.34 seconds on the Podkoren 3 course. Her performance initially put her ahead, earning a thumbs-up from the champion. However, Rast demonstrated her prowess, leveraging exceptional split times in the final sections to surge past Shiffrin.
The current standings show Rast leading, with her teammate Wendy Holdener in third and Shiffrin’s teammate Paula Moltzan in fourth, leaving them more than three-quarters of a second behind. Austrian skier Katharina Truppe is the only other competitor trailing closely, finishing less than a second off the pace.
Rast, the reigning slalom world champion, is chasing her fourth career win, having celebrated her maiden giant slalom victory just yesterday on the same slopes. She dedicated that win to the victims of the recent fire in Crans-Montana, a poignant reminder of the human impact behind the sport.
Shiffrin expressed admiration for Rast and other competitors, stating, “It’s been really impressive to see the women coming down, green light, like so many are doing such a good job.” Her recognition highlights the growing competitiveness within the women’s skiing circuit.
If she emerges victorious today, Shiffrin will match her personal best of seven straight World Cup slalom victories, a feat she last accomplished with the final race of last season. The record for consecutive wins in World Cup slalom stands at eight, a mark Shiffrin is eager to challenge. Additionally, this potential victory would mark her record-extending 70th career win in slalom, solidifying her place as the most successful skier in any single discipline.
As excitement builds, fans and competitors alike are eagerly watching for the next developments in this high-stakes race. With only a handful of competitors left to run, every second counts. Will Shiffrin reclaim her lead, or will Rast secure her place at the top? Stay tuned for the latest updates from this gripping World Cup event.
