Shiffrin Wins Five Straight at Killington

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Created on Wednesday, 01 December 2021 20:16

Written by Nick Fish

KILLINGTON - After snow and high winds cancelled Saturday's Giant slalom race, athletes took to the slopes on Sunday for the Home light Killington Cup slalom race as four of those athletes have strong connections to Vermont.

One of those athletes being former UVM skier and 2017 NCAA Slalom Champion Paula Moltzan who was excited to be back racing in Vermont.

 "I was ready to put my best skiing out there on the hill for all these fans to see. I think we all take pride in relating back to New England. We all love coming back home, we were all talking about it on the chairlift this morning; everyone smiles, everyone waves, everyone cheers and wishes you luck. We all feel like even though for some of us this might not be "home home" it feels like home for all of us." Moltzan Said.

Over 10 thousand fans attended both days of racing, many who came out to cheer on former burke athlete Mikala Shiffrin.
"It is so much fun, it is so much work to get here, and I cant believe there are four Burkies racing in the world cup at Killington today." Said Burke Mountain Academy Alum, Shane Sarty.

Other former Burke athletes competing were Zoe Zimmerman who didn't finish the course and Nina O'Brien who finished 48th.
"I spent four years here in Vermont, so I feel comfortable here. It wasn't the run I wanted today but it's still a treat to be here racing in front of a home crowd. Said O'Brien after her first run on Sunday.

Many in attendance were youth athletes from local ski schools including Burke Mountain Academy. O'Brien and Shiffrin had advice for those young athletes looking to race at the next level.

"You Never know how close you are to the world cup; I certainly didn't think that I would be here when I was their age. So, I'd tell them to keep going and have fun with it." Said O'Brien. Shiffrin advice for young athletes was. "Anything in life that you want is going to take work and you have to fight. That's not always pleasant. It can be uncomfortable at times but when you feel that work pays off it's so worth it. So, through the bad days keep putting in that effort and taking on those challenges when they come and just know, if it's something that you really love, you're going to find it's worth it."

Mikaela Shiffrin who was the crowd favorite finished second in the first run just under Slovakian skier Patra Vlhova by three seconds. But it was all Shiffrin in the final run where she took her fifth straight win in the Killington Cup Slalom. Staying true to her name as the queen of Killington as she has won all the FIS Slalom races that have been hosted at Killington. Following her Slalom win Shiffrin reflected on what this race means to her.

"Here it's especially emotional. I've shared it with family and have had my family here for every year that we've been here and that's special. It's amazing but it also reminds me of the people who are not here anymore and it's a little bit of sadness as well. I felt some pressure today but I just wanted to ski well. The second run even with a little bobble, it was good skiing."

Sunday Marked Shiffrin's 46th Slalom win which now makes her tied with Ingemar Stenmark for the most world cup slalom wins on record.