Mikaela Shiffrin made to wait for record win as Zagreb slalom cancelled due to weather conditions

ByPete Sharland

Updated 05/01/2023 at 11:58 GMT

The skiing world will have to wait a little bit longer to see history made as Mikaela Shiffrin was denied the chance to go for her 82nd World Cup win after the slalom in Zagreb on Thursday was cancelled due to poor weather conditions. Shiffrin, who is one behind compatriot Lindsey Vonn for all-time wins by a woman, will try again at the weekend.

Mikaela Shiffrin will have to wait for a chance to earn her record-equalling 82nd World Cup win after Thursday's slalom in Zagreb was cancelled due to adverse weather conditions.

It is unusually warm across Europe at the moment and a number of winter sports are being impacted. In Wednesday's slalom, the snow was in extremely poor condition and a number of skiers struggled to get to grips with the situation in Croatia.

Now the FIS have confirmed that the second slalom of the double-header has had to be cancelled.

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"Due to high temperatures and wind, today's race in Zagreb was cancelled," read the statement on Twitter.

The news will be a blow to American star Shiffrin, whose recent excellent form has propelled her to within touching distance of the all-time record for World Cups wins by a woman.

Shiffrin is now on 81, one behind her compatriot Lindsey Vonn. Sweden's legendary skier Ingemar Stenmark leads the way for all skiers with 86 wins.

Shiffrin and the rest of the tour will now turn their attention to the weekend's racing in Kranjska Gora where two giant slalom races will hold place, giving Shiffrin another chance to equal, and then break the record.

Speaking after Wednesday's slalom Shiffrin said "nothing less than the best" would do.

“I’m incredibly happy,” said Shiffrin afterwards.

“I had so much fun. It was my best skiing in both runs.

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“Nothing less than the best is going to work and I was taking all the risks I needed.

"I made it on the finish and it’s just an amazing feeling when it’s good enough.”

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