The upcoming women’s slalom race at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics is set for an exciting showdown between Mikaela Shiffrin and Swiss competitor Camille Rast, with just 45 days remaining. Rast recently halted Shiffrin’s six consecutive World Cup slalom victories by clinching a narrow 0.14-second win in Slovenia, posting the fastest times in both runs.
Despite Shiffrin closing the gap in a prior event in Austria, Rast maintained her lead in the latest race, securing her fourth career win and third in slalom. Shiffrin praised Rast’s strong performance and competitive spirit, acknowledging the challenge she faced in the race.
Following her victory, Rast expressed her joy and dedication, attributing her success to significant effort and enjoyment during the competition. The top two racers, Rast and Shiffrin, dominated the event, leaving Wendy Holdener, Rast’s teammate, trailing by a substantial 1.83 seconds in third place, achieving her first podium finish in nearly a year.
Shiffrin, a decorated skier with multiple world titles, continues to break records, boasting 69 slalom wins and 106 overall victories in World Cup competitions. Notably, Rast’s teammate, Paula Moltzan, also delivered a strong performance, finishing in fourth place.
Looking ahead, the next slalom race is scheduled as a night event on January 13 in Flachau, where Rast and Shiffrin have previously excelled. The final slalom before the Olympics will take place on January 25 in the Czech Republic, while next weekend features downhill and super-G races in Zauchensee, Austria. No men’s World Cup races were held over the weekend.
This intense rivalry between Shiffrin and Rast adds an exciting element to the upcoming Winter Olympics, promising a thrilling competition for fans worldwide.