Mikaela Shiffrin opens World Cup season with giant slalom win

Mikaela Shiffrin took home gold in the giant slalom in Soelden, Austria, on Saturday for her 70^th career World Cup win.

The American skier is the third athlete to reach the 70-win threshold, with only Ingemar Stenmark and Lindsey Vonn holding more career victories at 86 and 82.

MASSIVE. ABSOLUTELY MASSIVE.@MikaelaShiffrin delivers a huge run! @usskiteam @peacockTV pic.twitter.com/ZEkYZy4BV9

— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) October 23, 2021

Shiffrin beat out Switzerland’s Lara Gut-Behrami by .14 seconds to clinch the season-opening World Cup win. Petra Vlhova rounded out the podium, finishing third, 1.30 seconds behind Shiffrin.

“Starting off the season strong is important, so I’m super happy,” Shiffrin said after the race.

The 26-year-old is readying herself for her third Olympics in February 2022, starting her push for the Beijing Games on the front foot.