PYEONGCHANG, South Korea — Mikaela Shiffrin, the almost unbeatable American slalom skier, proved she had successfully expanded her world-class repertoire by winning the 2018 Olympic giant slalom on Thursday.
After putting up the second fastest time on the first run, behind the little-known Italian Manuela Moelgg, Shiffrin skied the top of second run with cool efficiency and a veteran’s precision. She built a huge lead that protected her against a slip-up with a handful of gates remaining.
Shiffrin’s combined time of 2:20.02 was 0.39 seconds better than the runner-up, Ragnhild Mowinckel of Norway. With her specialty the slalom still to come, Shiffrin is in position for a special Games.