Mikaela Shiffrin delivered another masterclass in slalom precision on Sunday morning, posting the fastest first-run time in the second women’s World Cup slalom of the Olympic season and extending her early-season dominance.
The 30-year-old American, racing on a demanding course set by her longtime coach Janne Haarala, stopped the clock 0.31 seconds ahead of 19-year-old sensation Lara Colturi of Albania — an exact repeat of the 1-2 order from last weekend’s season opener in Levi, Finland.
Under bright sunshine and biting cold that kept the snow dry and grippy, Shiffrin built her advantage on the flatter lower section of the Rettenbach piste after Colturi had stayed within hundredths through the steep middle pitch.
“It felt very different today with the cold, dry snow — almost a new sensation under the skis,” Shiffrin said afterward. “I managed to find the right mix of attacking hard and then carrying speed where it mattered most.”
Swiss duo Camille Rast, the reigning world slalom champion, and veteran Wendy Holdener share third place, both 0.48 seconds back. Germany’s Lena Duerr sits fifth (+0.72), the only other skier within a second of Shiffrin’s benchmark time.
Emma Aicher of Germany, who earned her first career podium in Levi, is currently 10th.
A win in Sunday afternoon’s final run (scheduled for 13:30 local time) would give Shiffrin her 103rd World Cup victory and her 66th in slalom alone — both all-time records she already owns.
The second run can be followed live on the FIS app, Peacock, Eurosport, and other major broadcasters.
