It was a crazy race to catch up that helped her win the World Cup opener in Sölden.
Ski star Mikaela Shiffrin's new friend played a big part in this.
Sölden - She is simply the best in her field.
The ski queen Mikaela Shiffrin put a big exclamation mark right at the start of the new winter sports season and won her first victory.
The fact that the American woman celebrated her 70th World Cup victory at the start of the Olympic season in the nerve-wracking giant slalom in Sölden was also thanks to the new man at her side.
Shiffrin only recently revealed her love secret with Norwegian ski racer Aleksander Aamodt Kilde.
In Sölden, her new friend cheered along the route - but beforehand he gave his heroine valuable tips.
Mikaela Shiffrin: Ski star celebrates with friend Aleksander Aamodt Kilde - Neureuther raves
“I always thought I had a friend here, just distract me.
But it gives me so much motivation and energy, it's just great, ”said Shiffrin in an interview with ARD.
Inspired by her very special “fan”, the Olympic champion snatched victory from Lara Gut-Behrami in the thrilling final on the Rettenbachferner World Champion.
“It's wonderful to have someone by your side who you can talk to about anything,” she said.
Not only, but also about the job.
Kilde, overall World Cup winner 2020, had recommended to her before the second run to throw all caution overboard and “step on the gas”.
After all, the often capricious glacier was perfect this time.
Shiffrin followed the advice - and ended up 0.14 seconds ahead of Gut-Behrami.
“That was an absolute show of strength.
It's a dream to be able to watch her, ”enthused ARD expert Felix Neureuther.
Check out this post on Instagram
$ {caption}
$ {footer} $ {time}
Mikaela Shiffrin: Tips from friend Kilde bring victory
70 victories - “that's unbelievable”, said Shiffrin, “I'm really proud”. She fought back tears at the awards ceremony. Since the death of her father Jeff in February 2020, the longtime dominator had doubts, and the four World Cup medals eight months ago didn't change that much. Before Sölden, she asked herself: “Can I really win again? Can I drive with the fire that I had before? ”Reported the 26-year-old. But with all the nervousness, she was sure of what she was doing - also thanks to Kilde.
The 29-year-old Norwegian does not start after his cruciate ligament rupture nine months ago and is concentrating on the first speed races in Lake Louise (Canada) at the end of November.
This gave Shiffrin a unique experience: a race and victory in front of her friend.
“It's something special that will probably never happen again in my career.
I'm so excited to have him here, ”Shiffrin revealed.
Maybe Kilde can arrange it again before he buckles up the boards himself.
It's all too obvious that he's bringing luck to his girlfriend.
(ck / sid)
List of rubric lists: © ESPA Photo Agency via www.imago-images.de
