The alpine skiing virtuoso Mikaela Shiffrin has a lot to prove to the world. Amid her boyfriend Aleksander Kilde tossing and turning in the hospital bed, the 28-year-old determined soul bagged her 94th career win already. It was not just a regular win for her. The Flachau slalom win tied her to Ingemar Stenmark, the Swedish GOAT’s podium record. But now, at the opening run of Jasna, Slovakia, the same can’t be said of Shiffrin’s winning consistency.

On 20 – 21 January, the women have already graced the Slovakian slopes to edge each other out in terrific bouts. But the impressive line of the 2x Olympic gold medalist’s competitive rivals has come with high hopes too. Especially another Swedish stellar icon who saw her Flachau night win slip away by a fraction.

Sara Hector’s strong start can break the streak of Mikaela Shiffrin

The official Instagram page of FIS Alpine has posted, “After the first run @sarahector 🇸🇪 is in the lead ahead of @mikaelashiffrin 🇺🇸 (+1:00s) and @alicerobins0n 🇳🇿 (+1:05s)”. It looks like the third finisher in the last slalom event wouldn’t make the same mistake at the Jasna giant slalom event.

Eyeing to reach the 100th win mark, Shiffrin is on a ceaseless spree. But one thing that needs extra mention at this point is, the fraction by which her rivals are missing the golds isn’t at all much. So, clearly, any moment the tables can turn. Narrowly behind the 28-year-old in the World Cup standings, her greatest rival Petra Vlhova is rooting for a win on home soil.

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But her Italian counterpart Federica Brignone is currently at pole position in giant slalom standings. So, both Hector and Shiffrin need to move with careful steps. But no race beats the latter’s last slalom gold winning one, which has cemented her name in the annals of history.

Shiffrin’s historical win garnered respect

In the World Cup slalom races, the last Austrian win was her 81st one. But why is it historical? This race has tied her slalom record to that of the slalom God Ingemar Stenmark. Not only that, the latter who currently boasts of 155 career podiums will soon have Shiffrin outclass it, since she’s already at a whopping 148. But her absence in her injured boyfriend’s critical unit stirred her emotions.

READ MORE: Amid Boyfriend Aleksander Kilde Embracing More Surgeries, Mikaela Shiffrin Extends Heartfelt Support

“I either could be with Alex right now, or I could come race. And I thought if I come race, then nothing to lose, you know. It’s one of those evenings that you just feel like now we push, don’t leave something on the hill, don’t leave something to chance because otherwise I should just be with him instead.” Despite all the worries trying to dim her spirit, Shiffrin stood firm on the podium.

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