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Mikaela Shiffrin Claims Historic 95th World Cup Victory in Giant Slalom at Are, Sweden

Daniel Okafor
Daniel Okafor
Olympics Correspondent
8:19 AM
OLYMPICS
Mikaela Shiffrin Claims Historic 95th World Cup Victory in Giant Slalom at Are, Sweden
The American ski legend extends her all-time record with dominant performance in Sweden, moving closer to 100 World Cup wins milestone.

Mikaela Shiffrin made skiing history once again on Saturday morning, claiming her record-extending 95th World Cup victory with a commanding performance in the giant slalom at Are, Sweden. The 31-year-old American star delivered two near-flawless runs on the challenging Olympia course to defeat Switzerland Lara Gut-Behrami by 0.68 seconds, further cementing her status as the greatest alpine skier of all time while inching tantalizingly close to the historic 100-win milestone.

Shiffrin dominance was evident from her opening run, where she posted the fastest time despite challenging weather conditions that included flat light and wind gusts up to 30 kilometers per hour. Her technical precision and aggressive line choices through the icy sections of the course showcased the experience and confidence that have defined her remarkable career. The defending overall World Cup champion attacked every gate with conviction, building a substantial 0.43-second lead heading into the decisive second run.

The second run belonged entirely to Shiffrin, who increased her advantage with another masterful display of giant slalom technique. Her ability to maintain speed through the technical sections while executing clean, efficient turns left commentators and fellow competitors in awe. The victory was her sixth giant slalom win of the season and moved her within striking distance of achieving what many consider the most significant milestone in alpine skiing history – reaching 100 World Cup victories.

Gut-Behrami, the Swiss veteran who has been Shiffrins most consistent challenger this season, delivered an impressive performance of her own to secure second place ahead of Italys Federica Brignone. The 32-year-old expressed admiration for Shiffrins continued excellence, noting that the Americans ability to perform at the highest level across multiple disciplines sets her apart from any skier in the sports history. Gut-Behrami own career has been remarkable, but she acknowledged being witness to something truly special.

The victory extends Shiffrins lead in both the giant slalom standings and overall World Cup classification, positioning her perfectly for what could be her sixth consecutive overall crystal globe. With just five races remaining in the season, Shiffrin mathematical advantage appears insurmountable, but she continues to approach each race with the same meticulous preparation and competitive fire that has driven her to unprecedented success throughout her career.

As the skiing world buzzes with anticipation about when Shiffrin will reach the magical 100-win milestone, the American remains focused on process over results. In her post-race interview, she emphasized the importance of enjoying each moment while acknowledging the significance of being so close to achieving something that seemed impossible when she began her World Cup career as a teenager. With three more giant slalom races scheduled this season, including next weeks event in Soldeu, Andorra, the skiing world will be watching closely as history continues to unfold on the slopes.

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