Alpine Skiingwomen's world cup
2021 Getty Images
Mikaela competed in only 16 races, obtaining more points than all in the technical races alone and four world medals in as many tests in Cortina. Now, however, he will have to raise the bar again in slalom to get back to fighting in the general classification. "It's already time to start next season ...".
Tuesday 23 March 2021 6 minutes reading time
Can it be defined as a disappointing season, as it has no crystal balls won for the second consecutive year? No, because we risked not even seeing her at the starting gate after what happened almost 14 months ago with the death of our dear father, and the return of Mikaela Shiffrin, from Levi to Lenzerheide, was nevertheless of the highest level, albeit not dominant at the same level shown until January 2020.
Now there is an extraordinary Katharina Liensberger in slalom and always very high competition in giant (but in this case not much has changed compared to the last 2-3 years), yet the American champion is just the one who, despite jumping the inaugural giant of Soelden, in 2020/21 he obtained more points than all in the technical competitions alone. Sixteen were disputed, 1075 points collected with three victories (one in giant in Courchevel and two in slalom in Flachau and Jasna) and another seven podiums, of which three second places in the last three from the second slalom of Are to the finals of Lenzerheide.
In essence, the worst results are the two sixth places of the giants of Kranjska Gora (falling significantly in the 2nd heat, as happened on other occasions), with the goal of the 70th success in the World Cup postponed at least until the opening 2021 in Soelden. The 341 points behind Vlhova in the general all accrued between speed and the parallel of Lech (where the Slovakian won, with Mikaela not participating), but it is obvious that the 4th place finish could become much more in a season "Normal", with Shiffrin who will be able to prepare it from spring-summer, certainly not as happened in 2020.
The idea is to continue only in the technical disciplines and with some appearances in super-g, where he has shown that he can win any type of race, just think of what was shown in the world champion, where only the clamorous final mistake at Rumerlo he deprived it of the bis title after Are. It was on Cortina that the star of Eagle concentrated his efforts having quickly realized that he could not play the fourth absolute World Cup of his career, and it is no coincidence that four medals have arrived in as many races, even though gold has arrived "only "In combined.
"I went beyond my dreams - explained Mikaela in a message published yesterday on social media at the end of the season - It was a special year, I have to thank my family, my team and the federation, the sponsors and the fans for all the support I received, especially when I didn't believe in myself. And thanks to my teammates and my own opponents for continually stimulating me, I take this opportunity to congratulate Alice Robinson for Sunday's giant and Marta Bassino for the giant's cup ”.
And the queen of the white circus concluded by talking about the desire to start planning next season, the one where the great goal of the Olympics will also be. In Beijing, Mikaela Shiffrin will go in search of her third Olympic title after gold in Sochi in slalom and in PyeongChang in giant. Will he be able to do it in another discipline? The possibilities are all there ...
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Social media engagement
Ultimi in Sport invernali
I team di Zardini Lacedelli e Retornaz volano ai quarti di Oakville: termina il cammino di Spiller e Zisa
Curling: oggi in Ontario i match della fase finale per lo Stu Sells Oakville Tankard, con Giulia Zardini Lacedelli e compagne a sfidare Xenia Schwaller dopo aver infilato quattro successi consecutivi, mentre il Team Retornaz se la vedrà con gli scozzesi guidati da Waddell.
365