Mikaela Shiffrin swept to victory in the World Cup slalom in Levi
(Markku Ulander)

Levi (Finland) (AFP) – American star Mikaela Shiffrin claimed her first win of the World Cup by cruising to first place in the slalom in Levi, Finland, on Saturday, on a combined time of 1:32.61.

Slovakia’s Petra Vlhova, who won at Levi last year, finished 0.58 seconds behind Shiffrin, after failing to capitalise on a strong start and losing time in the second and third sectors of the course.

Bernadette Schild of Austria was third place in 1:33.40. It was a first podium finish at Levi for the 28-year-old who finished fifth overall last season.

Sweden’s Frida Hansdotter, who won slalom gold at this year’s Pyeongchang Olympics, went into the second run just 0.14 seconds behind Shiffrin, but slid to fourth with an aggregate 1:33.42.

Shiffrin’s win is her third at Levi and marks a promising season start for the 23-year-old Olympic champion as she aims to clinch her third World Cup overall win in a row.

Speaking after she was fastest in the first run, she said: “Last year I had a lot of trouble with the pitch here and this year it was pretty good right from the start, so this year I’m pretty happy with that.”

The American has won five of the past six World Cup slalom titles and the last two overall titles, and has also won titles in the speed events of the downhill and super-G.

Blustery, head-on winds meant the start of the competition was delayed while organisers moved the starting line lower down the slope. But fears that the Levi stage would have to be cancelled following an unseasonably warm autumn proved unfounded.

The men’s slalom will take place on Sunday, and will serve as the opening of the World Cup season in place of Soelden in Austria, where the men’s giant was cancelled last month due to heavy overnight snowfall.

Last year’s men’s winner at Levi, Felix Neureuther, announced on Saturday he will not race tomorrow because of a broken thumb.

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