Mikaela Shiffrin’s World Number One Position Drifting Towards Biggest Rival After Back to Back Defeat

Even though the Beijing Winter Olympics were disappointing for Mikaela Shiffrin, she has much to look forward to. The 2-time Olympic gold medalist is currently at the top of the overall World Cup rankings.

However, close behind on her heels is her rival Petra Vlhova from Slovakia. Leading up to the giant slalom event in Are, Sweden, the Shiffrin had a 117-point lead on Vlhova.

Then, Vlhova finished first in both slalom events in Are, while Mikaela finished sixth and third. Thus, the gap between the two is now merely seventy-seven points, and the championship is completely up for grabs by either skier.

Petra Vlhova hands Mikaela Shiffrin back-to-back defeats

As Mikaela Shiffrin took to the icy slopes of Are, Sweden, she was on top of the overall World Cup standings. However, it wasn’t a large one and her closest rival Petra Vlhova was hot on her heels.

However, just a few hours prior, Shiffrin’s lead had been more than twice that. With Vlhova finishing first in the giant slalom, she scored a hundred points, while Shiffrin scored forty, finishing sixth.

The twenty-fifth player to take to the slopes, Mikaela Shiffrin finished first, with a stellar time total of 2:34:29. However, it wasn’t long before Marta Bassino of Italy dethroned her for the top spot. Then, Petra Vlhova came in strong again, as she finished first atop the leaderboard, taking home another hundred points.

DIVE DEEPER: Rival Petra Vlhova Leads; Mikaela Shiffrin Finishes Way Behind at World Cup Grand Slalom Event

Consequently, Vlhova closed in on the Mikaela, with only seventy-seven points separating the two now. However, Shiffrin is still in the lead in the overall World Cup standings.

Now, with a thin margin between the two skiers, the top position is up for grabs by either. Vlhova, fresh off the momentum of an Olympic gold medal, looks dead set on dethroning Mikaela Shiffrin from the top.

A star-studded podium in Sweden

As it turned out, the three players atop the podium, in the end, were all Giant Slalom champions. In first place was none other than Petra Vlhova, who was the 2019 Giant Slalom World Champion.

In second place was Italian skier Marta Bassino, who had been the 2021 Giant Slalom title winner. Finally, in the third position was Mikaela Shiffrin, who was the 2018 Giant Slalom Olympic Champion.

Now, there are five events left before the season ends, and Mikaela Shiffrin is barely holding on to her lead. Petra Vlhova looks dead set on gaining the top spot, but will the American star let herself be dethroned easily?

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