Mikaela Shiffrin returns to the racecourse after disappointing early exits from the giant slalom and slalom this week. She is seeking the kind of authoritative run that has been a hallmark of her career — and strangely absent in those two races. But it’s worth understanding how this upcoming race, the super-G, on Friday morning (Thursday night in the United States), will pose demanding, new challenges for her.
The fact is, Shiffrin spent most of this winter prepping to peak for the giant slalom and slalom, the two shortest, least speedy Alpine race disciplines, which makes her performances in them on Monday and Wednesday so inexplicable.