Lenzerheide, Switzerland – After a tense and surprisingly difficult Beijing Olympics, Mikaela Schiffrin is happy to enjoy skiing again.
That approach paid off on Saturday, as Schiffrin took a clear lead in the overall World Cup standings while finishing second in a tricky super-giant won by little-known Roman Miradoli.
After failing to win medals in six events, it was an impressive return to form in a difficult and turning point for the American star in her first race after poor results at the Winter Olympics.
“After the past few weeks, I really appreciate it,” said Schiffrin, who was greeted on the court by tennis great Roger Federer, who owns a house near the Lanzerheide pitch.
Shifrin and defending champion Petra Vlhova started the race level on points this season after 29 World Cup events, with eight remaining this month.
Velhova was skiing 18th, down 3.31 seconds, immediately ahead of Shifrin, who took advantage of the run he earned, just 0.38 behind the French leader.
Vlahova fell 67 points on aggregate to three-time overall champion Shifrin. Their duel will resume on Sunday in giant slalom.
“It’s really good today, of course it’s a positive thing, but I don’t want to get ahead of myself,” warns Shifrin. “I finally enjoyed skiing for a day”
“I think I was terrible with my team,” he said. “In the last few weeks, not because of the Olympics, but of course that is a big part of it, it has just been overwhelming. It was all very heavy on my mind and in my heart. »
Five of the top 10 competitors were unable to complete the course on a sunny, cold day and Miradoli, in bib number 8, found a perfect fast line.
Lara Gut-Behrami, the new Olympic Super-G champion, finished third, 0.88 behind Miradoli, who took the first podium of her career.
“It’s a crazy day. It’s like a gift for everything I’ve done before,” said Miradoli, who turns 28 next week. On Saturday, his fifth in more than 120 previous World Cup appearances had the best results, not for more than three years.
Federica Brignone, who won the all-season Super-G title despite falling in ninth place by more than two seconds, was another winner on Saturday.
Brignone, the 2020 overall champion, scored enough points over her Italian teammate Elena Courtoni to extend her lead in the discipline standings to more than 100 points. Courtoni skied as one of the first players to start.
The last Superg of the season will take place on March 17 at the last meeting of the World Cup in Courchevel, France.
“I can be in the final and be free and enjoy my race,” said Brignone, who also spoke to Federer after his race.
Shifrin said the riders only knew from watching TV near the starting gate that Federer was waiting for them down the hill.
“Everyone was like, ‘Oh my god, we have to ski really fast!’ ” he told. “It’s quite real to see him here watching a ski race and it’s very exciting for us.”
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