Mikaela Shiffrin unbeatable, fourth success in night slalom

Mikaela Shiffrin wins again, also dominating the night slalom in Courchevel and confirming her undefeated position in the specialty this winter: four successes out of as many races for the American who leaves Camille Rast at 1″55 with German Emma Aicher third at 1″71. But the French challenge also gives the best result of her career to Lara Dalla Mea, who was excellent eighth thanks to a comeback second run that allowed her to move up an impressive eight positions. Ninth twice in the giant slalom in Tremblant, before today in slalom the 26-year-old from Tarvisio had never gone beyond the 14th place found in March in Aare.

Andrea Gussoni

Della Mea did well to limit the damage in a first run complicated by snow conditions and closed in 16th place and then launched her comeback in the second run thanks to a solid and smooth descent. The result allows the Carnica to accumulate even more confidence after her two ninth-place finishes in the giant in Tremblant, confidence that is reflected in the stability of her current skiing. “For me it is the first time among the top ten in slalom and I am very happy. I’m working in the right direction, even in giant slalom, I’m happy with the steps forward I’m making, both mentally and physically, and with the materials. In the second one I wanted to have a good run to improve the placing-I don’t want to settle. This result gives confidence and I have to keep working. Continuity is important, it is not taken for granted in skiing: I am trying to adapt to all situations and consistency is essential to grow”.

Eight positions were also recovered for Martina Peterlini in the second run. The woman from Trentino goes from 28th to 20th place, supported by a condition that is still not optimal after the knee problems that slowed her start of the season. “It was important to make the second run – confessed the 28-year-old from Rovereto – I tried to attack it with what I have inside right now. I lack the race rhythm and it is therefore essential to race a lot to regain the best confidence that clearly to date is not at the top. But we are getting there. Before Semmering I will try to train as much as I can on even long slaloms, since I have only been able to do this a few days in the last three months and the physical condition at the moment is what it is”.

Over 30th place in the first run Beatrice Sola (+4″70), Emilia Mondinelli (+4″76) and Celina Haller (+6″52). On the other hand, Giorgia Collomb went out while she was in line to hit qualification despite wearing bib 52. Shiffrin’s dominance is reflected in the specialty rankings: 400 points for Mika, who has climbed to 105 victories, including 68 in slalom, compared to Lara Colturi’s 220 (out today in the first) and Rast’s 182; Della Mea is 16th at 53.

The U.S. also stretches her lead in the overall standings with 558 points and takes her lead over Alice Robinson to 164, with Rast third at 343; Sofia Goggia is 10th (240). The Women’s World Cup remains in France and moves to Val d’Isere: Thursday and Friday are scheduled for the two races ahead of Saturday’s downhill, followed on Sunday by the second super-G of the season.