Alpine Skiing World Cup: Mikaela Shiffrin becomes the most successful of all time

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(Sportcom) – It’s done, American Mikaela Shiffrin is the most successful athlete of all time in the Alpine Skiing World Cup with 87 victories. Saturday, in Äre, in the country of the former record holder, the Swede Ingemar Stenmark, Shiffrin rewrote the book of records by finishing first in the slalom, where Laurence St-Germain (+1.59 s) signed a fifth place . A summit for her in this discipline in the World Cup. 

When Shiffrin's victory was confirmed, the winner did not explode with joy. Instead, she sat down in a small ball to collect herself and experience her emotions before Switzerland's Wendy Holdener (+0.92 s) and Sweden's Anna Swenn Larsson (+0.95 s), second and third respectively, failed. came running up to her to congratulate her.

Fifth after the opening round when she was 1.49 seconds behind Shiffrin, St-Germain set off for the World Cup for the first time as reigning world champion.

“I'm super happy with my performance today (Saturday), especially my second run. I made a little more mistakes than in the first, but my attitude was more like that of the World Championships”, admitted the skier from Saint-Ferréol-les-Neiges, adding that she was more confident. attack on his second pass. “I knew that if I did the same things and had the same feelings (as at the worlds), I would have a good result.”

Guested to comment on the American's record , the Quebecer felt privileged to be in the front row.

“It's really impressive and we've been waiting for it for a long time. For my part, I'm just really happy to have been able to be there the day she broke the record. It was really moving and impressive to see the race she made today to reach this record.”

For her part, Shiffrin seemed more shocked than overjoyed.< /p>

“My brother and sister-in-law are here and I didn't know they were coming, which makes it even more special. The best feeling is to ski in the second run. Obviously you want to win, you're ahead and you want to be smart, but also be fast. I did exactly what I wanted, so it's amazing!” commented Shiffrin on the microphone of the FIS (International Ski Federation), adding his words of thanks to all his support team.

The other Canadian present, Ali Nullmeyer, ranked 22nd (+ 3.86 sec).

As before, or almost

Being world champion doesn't change the world, except that… St-Germain no longer goes unnoticed at the foot of the slopes. We accost her more often than before and she gave an interview to Eurosport, which she had never done before in the big white circus. She says some people asked her if she was happy with her fifth place after Saturday's race.

“It's my second best result ever! I don't expect to win every race,” confirmed the athlete, laughing.

Her surprise victory at the worlds, however, was not the trigger that ensured that she is now more consistent than ever on her two runs, which she lacked at the start of the season. It all happened at Spindleruv Mlyn in the Czech Republic, when she finished seventh.

“It was there that I understood what was missing and it was clear what I had to work on to be ready for the World Championships.”

Her short return to Quebec, which was marked by a media tour, exams at Polytechnique Montreal and a stint as a course setter on the icy courses of a Nor-Am Cup in Mont-Tremblant, did not undermine her preparation for the end of the calendar, even if she feels that the fatigue is starting to dawn.

“I knew that I was still skiing well and I'm still on my way to go. What stressed me today was not so much the result, but to execute what I did technically and tactically at the Worlds.”

For the first time this season, Laurence St-Germain had two good races in a row. She will have the opportunity to continue this three-way streak next Saturday at the World Cup finals in Soldeu, in the Principality of Andorra.

“This race is often a mega pitch very icy, but I improved this year, so I think I can have a good result too. It will be fun to celebrate the end of the season and especially Marie-Michèle Gagnon who will make her last run (before her retirement),” concluded St-Germain.