Mikaela Shiffrin’s 106th World Cup win should have been a moment of pure celebration, but for the skiing legend, it was marred by a sense of danger that she couldn’t ignore. Though she mounted an impressive comeback during the nighttime slalom in Semmering, Austria, the conditions were far from ideal.

However, as she stood in the finish area clutching yet another trophy, the most decorated skier in history was left frustrated. “The conversation I had with a lot of the athletes is that it was very scary to ski, especially on the first run. That’s a pity because the sport is beautiful and we want to share that with people,” Shiffrin said after the race, according to NBC Olympics.

The American skier added, “We don’t want to show the top seven going and then the course blowing apart. I think we can learn from it and move forward as a unit, with the teams, with FIS, with all the governing bodies. I would just hope that that’s the case.”

The snow was tinged dark blue, flying up with every turn, contributing to the dangerous conditions that were further compounded by the low nighttime visibility.

The mild weather earlier in the day also meant that the snow had softened. But despite the organizers’ efforts to inject water and salt to solidify the surface in the afternoon, it still gave way in a few spots. Though conditions somewhat improved by the evening session, it wasn’t enough.

Of the 79 athletes who competed in the opening run, only 40 managed to finish, resulting in an attrition rate approaching 50%. This marked the highest dropout rate seen in a World Cup event since 1999, when the data first starting being recorded.

Still, Shiffrin overcame an initial deficit to clinch victory by a slender margin of 0.09 seconds against Switzerland’s Camille Rast, achieving her sixth consecutive win in slalom and maintaining an impeccable record of five wins from five starts in the discipline this season.

However, Shiffrin maintained her impressive form in the slalom category, as she had pledged after securing her 105th World Cup victory.

Mikaela Shiffrin had other goals besides just winning

“Lock in this feeling,” were among the initial words spoken by Mikaela Shiffrin following her remarkable achievement of securing a 105th World Cup victory under the dazzling floodlights of a French alpine night at Courchevel.

Yet, she did not dwell on the challenges she had faced throughout the season or in the past; instead, they highlighted the hopeful possibilities that await.

The American skier said, “I have some work I want to accomplish with (giant slalom). The super-G was such a positive step, so I want to get some training there too. But it’s time for a little bit of recovery as well after the last nine weeks.” Last season, Shiffrin endured a serious injury after a fall during a giant slalom event in Killington, Vermont.

Top Stories

Sean Payton Announces Retirement Plans as Broncos HC Demands Improvement From Bo Nix & Co. Before Playoffs

Greg Biffle’s $4M Worth Prized Possession Still Without a Buyer Leaves NASCAR Fans Heartbroken

LIV Golf Braces for Another Possible Exit in Wake of Brooks Koepka Departure

Biff Poggi All But Confirms Bryce Underwood’s Michigan Future After Announcing His Own Departure

Roger Federer Draws Criticism from Swiss Government Chief for Tourism Boom in Country

NASCAR World Mourns as Former Watkins Glen President Michael Printup Passes Away at 60

She suffered a significant puncture wound measuring nearly three inches in her lower abdomen, dangerously near her colon, and needed surgical intervention. She encountered considerable obstacles in her physical recovery, resulting in a thorough reconstruction of her core muscles from the very foundation.

As the Winter Olympics approach, the American skier is embracing the challenge of other disciplines, including the giant slalom, eager to push her abilities to the fullest.