Fabulous three clear on the prime
As you would possibly anticipate, following her run of 11 World Cup wins (5 in slalom, 5 in GS and one in super-G) in her 23 races thus far this season, Shiffrin has a beyond-formidable lead of 731 factors within the total standings.
Ought to she – or maybe when she does – declare the coveted title it might mark a fifth Large Globe for the famous person, taking her previous compatriot Lindsey Vonn and leaving her only one shy of Austrian Annemarie Moser-Proell’s long-standing file.
Petra Vlhova is the closest skier to Shiffrin proper now, with Lara Intestine-Behrami hovering an extra 60 factors behind. Ought to the Slovakian maintain off the Swiss, it might spotlight his admirable consistency in a season the place he’s nonetheless but to hit the heights.
The long-lasting trio, who proceed to mild up ladies’s Alpine snowboarding, are comfortably away from the remainder of the perfect.
Who can cease Shiffrin doing the tech double?
Shiffrin could have already sewn up the slalom Crystal Globe for a file seventh time, after successful 5 and ending second 3 times in his opening 9 races, however there will likely be loads of intrigue when the technical skiers take to the slopes.
Not solely do the 2 races arguably supply the indefatigable American her greatest probability of securing these historic 86th and 87th World Cup wins, but additionally there are hosts of nice potential storylines to play out.
Can Wendy Holdener win once more? The Swiss star reached 30 slalom podiums earlier than her first World Cup win, recorded in Killington this season, however didn’t wait lengthy for a second. Or will fellow 2023 first-time victors Lena Duerr and Anna Swenn Larsson climb to the highest of the rostrum as soon as extra?
The motivation to be the skier to complete forward of Shiffrin, and maybe delay her record-setting, is also greater than sufficient to spark Vlhova again to her greatest.
It’s a considerably related story within the GS. With simply two races left and 100 factors obtainable for a win, Intestine-Behrami should be an extended shot to overtake Shiffrin’s present 118-point lead.
It’s tight behind Intestine-Behrami too, with newly topped world super-G champions Marta Bassino and Vlhova each inside hanging distance.