Mancuso struggles, Shiffrin shines in GS

By USSA

BEAVER CREEK -– Slalom world champion Mikaela Shiffrin (Eagle-Vail, Colo.) earned her first Audi FIS Alpine World Cup giant slalom podium Sunday, taking second during the final event of the Nature Valley Raptor women’s World Cup week.

After laying down an inspired first run for the roaring hometown crowd, Shiffrin produced a fluid final run that nearly snatched the win away from Jessica Lindell-Vikarby of Sweden.

Shiffrin’s previous best GS result was a sixth in Soelden, Austria, to open the 2014 Olympic season.

Julia Mancuso (Squaw Valley) made the top 30, advancing to the final run in 28th, but missed a gate and did not finish her second run.

“It’s definitely a step in the right direction but still a little off on time. We have a lot of races and I feel like it’s tougher once you reach a certain level in your career,” Mancuso said. “When you have ups and downs you have to remember that it keeps going. When you’re having breakthroughs when you’re younger everything seems to work a little easier. When you’ve been around for a long time it’s hard when you’re struggling to find that extra bit of energy.”

The race was on the future site of the 2015 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships at Beaver Creek Resort.