Mikaela Shiffrin is finally, officially the World Cup overall champion.
The 22-year-old American clinched the biggest annual prize in ski racing when Slovenian Ilka Stuhec, the only other skier mathematically in the running, chose not to enter Saturday’s slalom at the World Cup Finals in Aspen, Colo., (broadcast schedule here).
The Denver Post first reported the news on Thursday, citing Stuhec’s agent. News agencies confirmed it Friday, citing Stuhec and her coach.
Shiffrin became the fifth American to take the overall title, awarded since 1967 to the male and female skiers who accumulate the most points across all races in the World Cup season.