‘Better than I was’: Stenmark hails Shiffrin as she nears his World Cup record

To Ingemar Stenmark, the focus on Mikaela Shiffrin as she approaches his record of 86 World Cup skiing victories is beside the point. The 66-year-old Swede believes the American is already on another level.

“She’s much better than I was. You cannot compare,” Stenmark told the Associated Press. “She has everything. She has good physical strength, she has a good technique, strong head. I think it’s the combination of everything makes her so good. And I’m also impressed that she can ski good both in slalom and in super-G and downhill also.

“I could never have been so good in all disciplines.”

All 86 of Stenmark’s wins in the 1970s and 80s came in the technical disciplines of slalom (40) and giant slalom (46). Shiffrin’s 85 wins have come predominantly in slalom (52) giant slalom (19) or parallel (five), but also in super-G (five), downhill (three) and combined (one). One of Shiffrin’s three medals at the world championships this month came in super-G with a silver.

Stenmark knows the numbers well, because he enjoys following Shiffrin’s races.

“I watch most of them,” he said. “To become such a good skier you have to love skiing, and she has good touch with the snow, good feeling. She can adapt to all kind of different snow conditions.”

After winning three medals in her four races at the worlds, Shiffrin returns to action this weekend in Kvitfjell, Norway, where she plans to compete in a super-G, a downhill and then another super-G on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Then Shiffrin has a giant slalom and a slalom in Are, Sweden, from 10-11 March.

Could Stenmark attend the races in Are if there’s still a chance for Shiffrin to match or break his record?

“No, I’m not going. I’m sorry for that. But I will, of course,