'Extra intensity' of home hill helps Mikaela Shiffrin to 90th World Cup win in Killington ahead of Petra Vlhova

Mikaela Shiffrin is closing in on a century of World Cup wins after securing her 90th victory in the place where she learned her trade in Vermont. The American held off a challenge from Petra Vlhova to secure a record-extending 55th slalom win of her career. Shiffrin, who is chasing a record-equalling sixth overall title, extended her lead at the top of the standings to 84 points.

Mikaela Shiffrin believes the "extra intensity" of skiing on home hill helped her win a 90th World Cup gold in Killington.

The 28-year-old overtook Ingemar Stenmark's all-time win record of 86 last season and now the century is on as she redrafts record books on a weekly basis.

Shiffrin opened up a 0.19s lead in the first run which she extended to 0.33s in the second, holding off the charging Petra Vlhova to claim a record extending 55th slalom triumph of her career.

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"It's amazing to do this, specifically here with the home crowd," she said.

"It's just such a good vibe and there's just a little extra, not pressure, but a little extra intensity."

Vlhova's second run effort of 53.80 was just shy of Shiffrin's. The Slovakian straddled a gate and failed to finish when poised for victory in the season opener in Levi.

"Today I earned it in a way," Shiffrin said. "After the victory in Finland I didn't dare to hope that this would happen here because Petra was skiing so fast and she's so consistent."

Shiffrin has now won six of seven World Cup races staged in Killington, with Swiss Wendy Holdener winning bronze.

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Holdener said: "I have a lot of great memories in Killington. I had some amazing races, my first World Cup (slalom) victory. I love to come back, I love to race with the crazy crowd."

Shiffrin, who is chasing a record-equalling sixth overall title, has extended her lead at the top of the standings to 84 points over Vlhova.

‘You kept the energy in my legs’ - Shiffrin credits Killington crowd for 90th World Cup win

"At the end, second place again here," said Vlhova.

"The second run, I needed to push if I wanted to be on the top. When I crossed the finish line, I thought maybe it can be enough but Mikaela was stronger."

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