Shiffrin's Wait for 100th World Cup Win Continues After Failing to Qualify

Mikaela Shiffrin's bid for her 100th alpine skiing World Cup win was put on hold after a disappointing first run in Sestriere.

Federica Brignone made history at Sestriere, securing a giant slalom double with a thrilling World Cup victory on home snow. The 34-year-old Italian skier dominated the competition, finishing with a combined time of 2:08.81, a significant 0.77 seconds ahead of Lara Gut-Behrami. This triumph marked Brignone's 34th World Cup win and solidified her position as a giant slalom world champion.

Brignone's impressive performance was all the more notable given the absence of Mikaela Shiffrin, who failed to qualify for the second run. Shiffrin's early exit paved the way for Brignone to take center stage and assert her dominance in the giant slalom discipline. With this victory, Brignone has extended her lead in the general classification, now sitting 190 points ahead of reigning overall and discipline champion Gut-Behrami.

Italy's Federica Brignone stormed to Friday's giant slalom in Sestiere on her return to action as newly-crowned world champion, while Mikaela Shiffrin flopped in her bid for a 100th World Cup win.https://t.co/LMyyZvXE1M #AFPSports pic.twitter.com/5DAazUCAN0

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) February 21, 2025

Alice Robinson, who had held the lead after the first run, ultimately finished third, 0.79 seconds behind Brignone. Robinson's performance was impressive, but she was denied the top spot by Brignone's exceptional skiing. Meanwhile, Sofia Goggia put in a brave effort, finishing fourth after a remarkable second run that saw her record the second-fastest time behind Brignone. Despite the challenging conditions, which included poor visibility, Goggia's determination earned her a spot just off the podium.

The giant slalom standings have been shuffled as a result of this competition, with Alice Robinson now holding a 40-point advantage over Federica Brignone. The battle for giant slalom supremacy is heating up, and these athletes will undoubtedly continue to push each other to new heights in the upcoming competitions.

"A very different position from the last many years when I was fighting for podiums."

Mikaela Shiffrin failed to qualify for a second run in a giant slalom event for the first time since 2012, as she continues her comeback from injury.https://t.co/yMPS2JfgmU

— CNN Sports (@cnnsport) February 22, 2025

Mikaela Shiffrin's quest for her 100th alpine skiing World Cup win will have to wait, as she failed to qualify for the second run in Sestriere after finishing 33rd in the first run. The American skiing star struggled to find her rhythm, ultimately missing out on a spot in the afternoon's decisive session.

Shiffrin's disappointing run left her trailing early leader Alice Robinson by a significant 2.5 seconds. This lackluster performance came on the heels of two difficult runs on Friday, which prompted Shiffrin to reassess her goals for the remainder of the season. Rather than focusing on securing wins, Shiffrin has shifted her attention to accumulating points.

Shiffrin's cautious approach on Saturday morning was likely a result of her ongoing recovery from an abdominal puncture wound suffered at Killington in November, which required surgery. As she continues to work her way back to full strength, Shiffrin will have another opportunity to make her mark in Sestriere on Sunday, when the resort hosts a slalom event - a discipline in which she excels.