"The final women's World Cup race of the calendar year delivered chaos, comebacks, and another historic victory for Mikaela Shiffrin, who claimed her 106th career World Cup win and 69th Slalom victory after two demanding runs on the icy slopes of Semmering, Austria. Following a tricky Giant Slalom on Saturday, December 27, conditions remained difficult on Saturday, December 28, with a battered course, softening snow, and 45 DNFs, highlighting just how unforgiving the Semmering hill can be."
"The opening run was set by Swiss coach Denis Wicki and immediately proved to be a challenge. Austria's Katharina Liensberger, skiing first, set the early benchmark with a time of 55.04 seconds. Italian-Albanian teenager Lara Colturi followed with a composed, technically sound run, edging into the lead by 0.25 seconds. But then came Camille Rast. The Swiss skier attacked the course with noticeably more aggression and powered into the lead with a time of 54.70, just 0.09 seconds ahead of Colturi."
"Fourth out of the gate was Mikaela Shiffrin, who delivered a clean and controlled run but finished 0.54 seconds back in fourth. As was the case in Sasturday's Giant Slalom, the first four starters remained the top four through the rest of the run-a possible indication of how quickly the course deteriorated. Austria's Katharina Truppe rounded out the top five, with Wendy Holdener sixth."
Mikaela Shiffrin captured the Semmering slalom title, earning her 106th World Cup victory and 69th slalom win after two demanding runs on icy, deteriorating snow. Harsh conditions persisted following a tricky giant slalom the prior day, producing a battered course, softening snow and 45 DNFs overall. The opening run saw 39 DNFs as early starters set the top times, with Camille Rast, Lara Colturi and Katharina Liensberger among early leaders. Several top contenders struggled or skied off, creating wide time gaps that Shiffrin exploited to secure the victory.
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