Mikaela Shiffrin takes her 106th World Cup victory in the Semmering slalom. After the race, a burning question needs clarification.
Mikaela Shiffrin’s victory in the women’s slalom in Semmering apparently left a sour taste with some competitors.
For example, Eurosport reports that the Swiss and Austrian federations had considered a protest. Ultimately, however, no such objection was made.
Mikaela Shiffrin’s victory probably causes discomfort among competitors
Runner-up complains: “Should be the same for everyone”
The reason for the commotion surrounding the victorious US star was a course inspection before the competition. Shiffrin had inspected the course as one of the last racers and identified a section that she considered too dangerous.
Shiffrin: “It wasn’t safe for the girls”
She had discussed it “with FIS and some coaches,” she later said on Eurosport . Her concerns were granted, and the course was changed.
The problem: “It was just me and two other athletes who actually saw it,” Shiffrin explained. All other starters were only sent a video showing the new course layout.
Switzerland’s Camille Rast, who finished in second place, described this as “not so happy. We had everything already inspected. It should be the same for everyone. We are the 30 best slalom skiers in the world. I think we can adapt to the situation.”
Shiffrin, in turn, spoke of a “very strange moment on a very strange day.” She had previously sharply criticized the conditions, as had several other racers. Some competitors had been scared, the ski queen claimed.
The criticism: Higher up, the piste was icy, but soft lower down: “I have to address this: It wasn’t safe for the girls.” She herself had no problems with start number four, but for the later starters, it was “not ok.”
Ultimately, only 40 of the 77 participants in the first run reached the finish line: “To my knowledge, there were no serious injuries, but the way the piste broke apart… the second run was certainly a bit better, but I’m frustrated with how it went for those women,” Shiffrin said.