Tough Slalom Start for Shiffrin

By U.S. Ski & Snowboard

November, 15 2014

LEVI, Finland (Nov. 15) - Olympic gold medalist and reigning World Cup champion Mikaela Shiffrin (Eagle-Vail, CO) was electrifying in her opening turns on the first run of the Audi FIS Ski World Cup slalom opener. But an uncharacteristically conservative approach on the Levi Black steeps got the best of her, as she fell 1.71 seconds back on the first run, finishing 11th. Levi Black is known as one of the toughest slalom slopes on the women's circuit, combining a rather flat top section with a steep pitch, which requires skiers to quickly adapt. Today was Slovenian Tina Maze’s day. She conquered the challenging slope snagging the win and a Lapland reindeer. After a disappointing 2014 season, Maze claimed her fourth career World Cup slalom victory, and her first slalom win in two seasons. Sweden's Frida Hansdotter finished in second, 0.34 seconds back and Austria's Kathrin Zettel rounded out the podium, 0.52 seconds out. It is clear that there will be quite a battle for this year's slalom title.

HIGHLIGHTS

Defending Audi FIS Ski World Cup slalom titlist Mikaela Shiffrin (Eagle-Vail, CO) took an uncharacteristically conservative approach on the Levi Black steeps in her first run, putting her at a deficit and finishing 11th in the season slalom opener.
Globe chase: Tina Maze is back in the chase after a disappointing 2014 season, taking her fourth World Cup slalom win but first since 2013. After today's race, it's clear she's back in the hunt for the overall title, jumping past Austria's Anna Fenninger with Shiffrin retaining the lead.
Resi result: Resi Stiegler (Jackson Hole, WY) was sitting in 21st after first run and ended up 18th. Paula Moltzan (Lakeville, MN) and Hailey Duke (Boise, ID) also started but didn't make the flip after first run.
On to Aspen: The women's World Cup tour team will now roll back to North America to prepare for the Nov. 29-30 Nature Valley Aspen Winternational with training camp at the U.S. Ski Team Speed Center at Copper.
TV rebroadcast: The second run was broadcast live from Levi on Universal Sports Network. The race is now available for on-demand streaming at UniversalSports.com and will be rebroadcast at 4:00 p.m., 9:00 p.m. and midnight EST.
Watch Sunday's Audi FIS Ski World Cup men's slalom opener live at UniversalSports.com 6:30am EST.

QUOTES
Mikaela Shiffrin
I’m pretty disappointed with my skiing today. I feel like I've been training much, much faster than the way I raced today, especially the first run. Second run felt a little better, but still not nearly what I'm capable of. But the fact is I came into this race thinking 'I'm going to get another reindeer, and I'm skiing well in slalom.' I took the competition for granted, and it's a lesson to be learned for next time.

Something that always worked for me was to feel like the underdog and come from behind. Even if I was the favorite to win, I’d always come into races and do my best to ski my very fastest - not ski for the win - ski for my fastest skiing and ski because I like to ski fast. That’s why I’m doing the sport. I have no excuses, no one to blame. My skiing just wasn’t fast.

I think Tina Maze, Frida Hansdotter, Kathrin Zettel and Maria Pietilae-Holmner did a really great job today and I’m going to go back and study their skiing and see what they did and I didn’t do. I have to stay positive. I’m looking forward to the next races - I think they’re doing a good job to try to get Aspen ready.

Post race interview with Mikaela Shiffrin

VIDEO
Mikaela Shiffrin
Resi Stiegler
Paula Moltzan

RESULTS
Offical Results

Breakpoints

Tough Slalom Start for Shiffrin

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