Mikaela Shiffrin finally conquers elusive Kronplatz giant slalom

SAN VIGILIO DI MAREBBE, Italy — Mikaela Shiffrin had this race specially marked on her calendar.

There are few courses the American skier has not been able to conquer in her record-breaking career. Yet a victory — or even a podium finish — had eluded her on the steep Erta slope at the Kronplatz resort.

So she came to San Vigilio over the Christmas holiday and did some free skiing on the Erta. The attention to detail paid off. She won the World Cup giant slalom here on Tuesday and banished poor memories.

“There aren’t too many races where I had such a struggle as here,” Shiffrin said. “And when I come to a race like this, I have to overcome that as well. It’s a little bit more doubt.