Mikaela Shiffrin made to wait to equal World Cup record of 86 wins as Lena Duerr takes win at Spindleruv Mlyn

ByThe Editorial Team

Published 29/01/2023 at 13:03 GMT

Mikaela Shiffrin had looked poised to equal Ingemar Stenmark’s record of 86 World Cup wins at Spindleruv Mlyn following an epic first slalom run, but she fell agonisingly short as Germany's Lena Duerr came roaring back to take victory by the narrowest of margins. The American will now have to wait until after the World Championships to attempt to equal Stenmark's record.

Mikaela Shiffrin will have to wait to equal the legendary Ingemar Stenmark’s record of 86 World Cup wins after she fell agonisingly short of top spot at Spindleruv Mlyn on Sunday.

The 27-year-old had looked poised to achieve the feat after building a mighty 0.67 seconds lead over Germany's Lena Duerr with a rapid time of 44.66 in the first run of the slalom event. However, her rival came roaring back and took victory by just 0.06 seconds after a sublime display in the second run.

Duerr - who had to settle for a runner-up place on Saturday - fully deserved her first-ever classic slalom win, breaking Shiffrin's dominance with a calm and steady but deceivingly-quick performance. The American could only stand back and applaud her opponent when the result was confirmed.

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Last to make her descent, Shiffrin had a seriously carved up course to deal with; the time was falling away, and in the end it wasn't quite enough for the American. She will now have to wait until after the World Championships to attempt to equal Stenmark's record.

"It took me a while and I just tried to risk it all," said a delighted Duerr.

"I had a little mistake down in the flat and then I just thought: 'Okay, I'm going all in'. It's crazy that today is the day."

Lena Duerr of Team Germany celebrates during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Women's Slalom on January 29, 2023 in Spindleruv Mlyn, Czech Republic.

Image credit: Getty Images

Croatia's Zrinka Ljutic recorded her first-ever World Cup podium finish at the age of 19 in third place, 0.49s adrift of the leader.

Shiffrin had shared the women's record of 82 wins with ex-team-mate Lindsey Vonn before her further successes in Italy earlier this week and adding a third in Czech Republic on Saturday that took her to 85 victories.

Stenmark, of Sweden, still therefore clings on to the record of 86 World Cup wins, having dominated in slalom and giant slalom during the 1970s and 80s.

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