American skiing superstar Mikaela Shiffrin has maintained a flawless start to the crucial Olympic season, securing her third consecutive World Cup slalom victory in dominant fashion at Copper Mountain, Colorado.
A Historic Victory on Home Snow
The triumph on Sunday was particularly special for the 30-year-old Colorado native, marking her first World Cup win in her home state since two slalom victories in Aspen back in late 2015. Thousands of local fans braved moderate snowfall to cheer on their hometown favourite, creating an electric atmosphere on the slopes.
"I could hear you guys from the start. Thank you," a delighted Shiffrin told the supportive crowd after her winning run. "I felt perfect this run. This was just lights-out amazing." Shiffrin, who lives just a half-hour drive away in Edwards, finished a staggering 1.57 seconds clear of her nearest rival.
Extending an Unmatched Legacy
This latest win is far more than just another podium finish. It represents a significant extension of Shiffrin's already monumental records in the sport. The victory is her 104th career World Cup win, further cementing her status as the most successful alpine skier of all time.
Furthermore, it is her 67th World Cup win in the slalom discipline alone, a staggering tally that continues to grow. Her current form suggests this record-breaking run is far from over. This season, she has won every slalom event, starting in Levi, Finland and Gurgl, Austria. Including the final race of last season, she is now on a run of four consecutive slalom World Cup victories.
Podium Finishers and Olympic Form
Germany's Lena Duerr put in a strong performance to claim second place, but could not match Shiffrin's blistering pace. The podium was completed by Albanian teenager Lara Colturi, who secured third place 1.85 seconds behind Shiffrin. Colturi's result continues her own impressive start to the season, achieved despite a mistake early in her second run that saw her fight back from fourth place.
Shiffrin's return to the top of the podium came just a day after a less characteristic 14th-place finish in the giant slalom on Saturday. The swift rebound underlines her focus and resilience, showcasing the peak form she is building ahead of a targeted bid for more Olympic glory at the Milan-Cortina Games in February.
The two-time Olympic champion will now turn her attention to the next challenge. Her season continues with a giant slalom event in Tremblant, Quebec, next weekend, as she fine-tunes every aspect of her skiing for the ultimate prize this winter.
