Alpine skiing: That’s why Shiffrin’s comeback counted for next season

“It was very important to drive well again this season in order to end it with something positive and thus start the next season in a better position,” said Shiffrin on Swiss television. “There was uncertainty about the injury and the disappointment of not being able to compete in the giant slalom. That’s why it feels like a dream.” Given the lead, winning her eighth slalom ball was just a formality.

As a self-starter, Shiffrin, who turns 29 on Wednesday, didn’t want this to be understood. “A week ago I didn’t know whether I could start in Åre,” she explained. “I was lucky that I didn’t get worse or injured at the beginning of the season. Otherwise it could have been a different story.” In fact, she only missed one slalom and also benefited from the torn cruciate ligament of her long-time rival Petra Vlhova. She will receive her only crystal ball this winter, the 16th in total, on Saturday in Saalbach-Hinterglemm.

• Also read: When crystal balls strain your nerves: “You get all sorts of conditions” (OÖNplus)

“Really amazing, mega strong”

With a lead of 1.24 seconds over second-placed Zrinka Ljutic, Shiffrin once again left the competition in awe. “It’s really amazing, super strong. When she’s there, she’s totally there,” said Katharina Liensberger. “Everything works together perfectly for her. She makes the right assessments, took a break on Saturday and was able to attack on Sunday.”

When it comes to perfection, Shiffrin is certainly a role model, said the sixth place in the slalom from Vorarlberg. Nevertheless, every athlete at this level should be viewed individually, Liensberger pointed out. “You can choose certain things, but the important thing is that you still go your own way.”

“You can take your hat off to Liensberger”

Your own is consistent. “I can happily travel on from Åre to Saalbach,” said Liensberger after her weekend ended on a positive note after the giant slalom fall. Apart from bruises, no traces of the departure remained. At the end in Saalbach, she decided to take “the next steps” towards more risk.

“You can take your hat off to Katharina from Liensberg. The way things went on Saturday, sixth place is great for her,” praised ÖSV coach Klaus Mayrhofer. The coach was annoyed that Katharina Huber (16th) and Katharina Gallhuber (11th), who was struggling with knee problems, did not finish their good interim positions of fifth and sixth respectively. “One in the top ten is not enough, the gap to the front is also big. We have to stretch ourselves. We have to work on becoming more stable and just pushing through.” The last chances of the 2023/24 season will open up at home next weekend.

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