First Career Alpine Combined Victory for Shiffrin
CRANS-MONTANA, Switzerland (Feb. 26, 2017) – Mikaela Shiffrin (Eagle-Vail, CO) won her first career Audi FIS Ski World Cup alpine combined event Sunday, and increased her overall World Cup lead heading into final races of the season.
Racing once again under brilliant blue skies and on a soft track, Shiffrin laid down a solid first run of super G, and then attacked the second run slalom to take the victory over Italy’s Federica Brignone in second, and Slovenia’s Ilka Stuhec in third.
“I was really psyched with my super G this morning,” Shiffrin said. “I took a really big step forward from yesterday and I was happy with that. Of course the slalom was great; I made a little mistake at the top, but I was attacking so I don’t think it cost me too much. I’m happy to go into the U.S. races with the overall lead.”
Mikaela Shiffrin finished seventh in the first run super G at the Audi FIS Ski World Cup alpine combined in Crans-Montana. (Getty Images/AFP-Fabrice Coffrini)
Stacey Cook (Mammoth Mountain, CA) was the only other U.S. finisher in 23rd. Laurenne Ross (Bend, OR) was 14th in the super G, but did not finish the slalom run.
With her victory, Shiffrin picked up 100 World Cup points and now leads Stuhec by 298 points with four World Cup races remaining before the World Cup Finals in Aspen, CO, March 13-19. Shiffrin also leads the overall World Cup slalom standings and is second in the giant slalom standings, 120 points behind Tessa Worley of France.
“As for my overall lead, I think Ilka is going to put up a really good fight, so I’m certainly not losing focus,” Shiffrin said.
Stuhec wrapped up the overall World Cup alpine combined title with her third-place finish Sunday. She also leads the World Cup downhill standings and is third in the World Cup super G standings - just 16 points behind Tina Weirather of Liechtenstein – heading into next weekend’s Olympic test event races in Jeongseon, South Korea.
Four World Cup events remain before the World Cup Finals, with downhill and super G events in Jeongseon, South Korea, March 3-5, followed by giant slalom and slalom races at Squaw Valley, California, March 10-11.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Mikaela Shiffrin won her first career World Cup alpine combined event Sunday in Crans-Montana, Switzerland.
- Italy’s Federica Brignone finished second.
- Slovenia’s Ilka Stuhec finished third – her third straight podium in three days - and wrapped up the overall World Cup alpine combined title.
- Road to Aspen: With her victory, Shiffrin (1,323 points) picked up 100 World Cup points, and now leads Stuhec (1,025) by 298 points with four World Cup races remaining before the World Cup Finals in Aspen, Colorado, March 13-19. Shiffrin also leads the overall World Cup slalom standings and is second in the giant slalom standings, 120 points behind Tessa Worley of France.
QUOTES
Mikaela Shiffrin
I was really psyched with my super G this morning. I took a really big step forward from yesterday and I was happy with that. Of course the slalom was great; I made a little mistake at the top, but I was attacking so I don’t think it cost me too much. I’m happy to go into the U.S. races with the overall lead.
As for my overall lead, I think Ilka is going to put up a really good fight, so I’m certainly not losing focus.
[On the spring conditions at Crans-Montana]
It’s soft, and it’s so warm. I actually love the spring weather - I love the sun, it just feels really nice. But sometimes it’s difficult to ski on, especially with the speed. But it’s probably good practice going into the last races of the season.
BROADCAST AND LIVE STREAMING (times EST)
Sunday, Feb. 26
5:30 p.m. – women’s alpine combined – Universal HD
RESULTS
Women’s alpine combined
