The Winter Olympics are just nine weeks away, and the anticipation was palpable at Copper Mountain. With Mikaela Shiffrin, the most successful ski racer of all time, competing just a short distance from her home in Edwards, the crowds were out in full force for the women’s World Cup giant slalom on Saturday. The turnout was even larger than what Beaver Creek typically sees for the men’s World Cup races in December.
Shiffrin, who finished 14th on a challenging course, expressed her excitement at the massive crowd that gathered to watch her race. Copper Mountain hadn’t hosted World Cup events in over two decades, making this return to top-level racing a special occasion for both the racers and the spectators.
Although Shiffrin faced challenges in the first run, she made adjustments and improved in the second run, moving up in the final standings. With dominating performances in the slalom races earlier in the season, Shiffrin is poised to continue her success in Sunday’s slalom event, where she will be the favorite.
Despite her achievements, Shiffrin acknowledges the difficulties of competing at high elevation and on consecutive days. The physical demands of the sport were evident as she prepared for the upcoming races.
Shiffrin’s fiance, Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, made a remarkable comeback to racing after a serious injury, adding to the emotional intensity of the weekend. With more races on the horizon and the challenges of the season ahead, Shiffrin remains focused on maintaining her competitive edge.
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