Mikaela Shiffrin showcased her exceptional skills by conquering a challenging course to clinch victory in the women’s slalom event at the World Cup finals held in Sun Valley, Idaho. As the leader after the first run, Shiffrin displayed remarkable speed, finishing with a total time of one minute and 45.92 seconds, outpacing Lena Duerr of Germany by 1.13 seconds. Andreja Slokar of Slovenia secured the third spot in the competition.
Ali Nullmeyer from Toronto achieved her best performance of the season, securing ninth place with a time of 1:48.52, trailing Shiffrin by 2.6 seconds. Nullmeyer’s previous best this season was an 11th place finish on February 23 at the Sestriere ski resort in Turin, Italy, while her teammate, Laurence St-Germain of Saint-Ferréol-les-Neiges, Que., finished in 20th place.
Shiffrin, cheered on by a large crowd, navigated the Sun Valley course with finesse, concluding the World Cup slalom season with a well-deserved victory. Despite facing challenges due to injuries throughout the season, Shiffrin’s consistent performance saw her clinch fourth place in the slalom standings.
In the same race, Croatian skier Zrinka Ljutic claimed the season-long slalom title, surpassing Katharina Liensberger of Austria. Ljutic, a 21-year-old talent who won last season’s “rising star” award, demonstrated her prowess ahead of the upcoming 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics, while Camille Rast of Switzerland secured the third spot in the overall slalom standings.
Shiffrin’s season was marked by a return from a serious giant slalom crash in Killington, Vt., which resulted in a significant injury and emotional trauma, impacting her performance in the discipline. Despite the challenges, Shiffrin’s perseverance paid off as she closed the season with an impressive win, marking her 101st World Cup victory.
Throughout her career, Shiffrin has maintained a remarkable record in slalom races, consistently achieving top positions. Her dominance in slalom events continued this season, with victories in four out of six World Cup races. With an outstanding podium rate of 75.4% and a victory rate of 54.2% in slalom races, Shiffrin’s legacy in the sport is undeniable.
The season also saw Shiffrin reach a significant milestone by claiming her 100th World Cup win during a slalom race in Italy on February 23. As she secured her 101st victory in Sun Valley, Shiffrin was greeted by fans dressed as puppies, reminiscent of Disney’s “101 Dalmatians,” adding a touch of celebration to her remarkable achievement.
