Shiffrin leads giant slalom, closes in on 86th World Cup win
United States' Mikaela Shiffrin speeds down the course during an alpine ski, women's World Cup giant slalom race, in Are, Sweden, Friday, March 10, 2023. Credit: AP/Alessandro Trovati
ARE, Sweden — Mikaela Shiffrin made a strong start Friday in her pursuit of a record-tying 86th World Cup victory by taking a big lead in the first run of a giant slalom.
Shiffrin was more than half a second faster than her highest-ranked rivals with a smooth and fluent run in the sunshine at the lakeside resort in Are.
The second run is later Friday.
The 27-year-old American can move even with Swedish great Ingemar Stenmark with a victory. Stenmark won a record 86 World Cup races in the 1970s and 80s.
More Olympics
Lindsey Vonn to make her comeback to downhill racing at age 40 this weekend3m read
IOC official open to back-to-back World Cup in Saudi Arabia and Salt Lake Olympics in early 20341m read
Olympic flame for 2026 Milan-Cortina Games will go on 63-day journey across Italy2m read
Ruling in doping case set to give biathlon star Fourcade a gold 15 years after Vancouver Olympics1m read
