Mikaela Shiffrin dominant in final pre-Olympics slalom race

Mikaela Shiffrin continued her nearly unbeatable World Cup season, winning the slalom at the Spindleruv Mlyn ski resort in Czechia on Sunday.

In the final slalom before the 2026 Winter Olympics next month in Italy, Shiffrin finished in 1:37.59 for her seventh victory in eight slalom races this season. She extended her record World Cup wins to 108, with 71 of them in the slalom.

"It was quite an incredible race. It was a big push. ... I'm really happy with the day and the way we managed it," Shiffrin said post-race. "This race for me symbolizes hope and beginnings and new chapters in life. Something about this place that is so special."

In the process, Shiffrin clinched her ninth career slalom Crystal Globe, signifying the season championship in the discipline.

Her slalom win came a day after the finished third in the giant slalom -- her first podium in the event in two years.

Camille Rast of Switzerland was second on Sunday, 1.67 seconds behind Shiffrin, and Emma Archer of Germany (+2:18) was third.

Shiffrin, now 30, raced in her first World Cup event at Spindleruv Mlyn in March 2011.

"It just feels amazing to be here," Shiffrin told FIS TV. "I feel like when I was 15 years old still."

--Field Level Media