Are win leaves Shiffrin on the brink

Peter Hanson

Are win leaves Shiffrin on the brink image

Mikaela Shiffrin romped to a dominant FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup victory in Are to move within touching distance of winning a third consecutive slalom globe.

The American signalled her intent early with a time of 51.88 seconds on her first run at the Swedish venue.

And there was no let-up on her second attempt as she again went quickest with a time of 52.68secs, giving her a combined total of one minute and 44.56secs and a fourth win in the discipline this campaign.

Veronika Velez-Zuzulova of Slovakia finished runner-up, well over a second slower than Shiffrin, while the podium was completed by Sarka Strachova.

Shiffrin now holds a commanding 90-point lead over Sweden's Frida Hansdotter in the overall standings, as the Swede could only place a disappointing sixth in front of her home supporters.

With just one slalom race remaining at the season-ending week in Meribel, it would take a huge swing to deny Shiffrin - who would be become the first woman in 20 years to win the discipline's title in three straight years.

Peter Hanson