Mikaela Shiffrin wins women’s combined, sixth world championship title

Mikaela Shiffrin won the women’s combined to set an American record with her sixth world championship title.

Shiffrin has four golds in slalom and one in super-G from previous worlds. She called her sixth title “pretty amazing.”

Shiffrin is the first American winner of the women’s combined since Tamara McKinney won it in 1989 at the worlds in Vail. She had not competed in the discipline at the worlds before.

“I’m happy that we decided to put this in the plan this world champs. For sure it was a tough slalom so I’m like really happy I got down with a really good run,” Shiffrin said.

Shiffrin ranked third after the super-G portion but was fastest in the slalom leg to beat Petra Vlhova of Slovakia by 0.86 seconds. Olympic champion Michelle Gisin of Switzerland finished 0.89 behind for bronze.

Two of Shiffrin’s main competitors failed to complete their slalom runs.

First-run leader Federica Brignone straddled the third gate as Italy keeps waiting for its first medal at this year’s worlds after five events. Defending champion Wendy Holdener of Switzerland also skied out early in her run.

 

 

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