MARIBOR, Slovenia (AP) — American teenager Mikaela Shiffrin built a big lead in the opening run of a women’s World Cup slalom on Sunday.
A week after retaining her world title, Shiffrin defied drizzling rain and timed 48.58 seconds to lead second-place Sarka Strachova of the Czech Republic by 0.68.
Erin Mielzynski of Canada was 0.81 back in third, while Sweden’s Frida Hansdotter, who leads the discipline standings ahead of Shiffrin, had 0.92 to make up in the second run.
Overall leader Tina Maze of Slovenia trailed by 0.95 in sixth.
Shiffrin is chasing her third slalom win of the World Cup season. None of her rivals has won more than once.
