Shiffrin rules 2nd consecutive women’s World Cup slalom to open Olympic season

Mikaela Shiffrin dominated another women's World Cup slalom Sunday as the American ski star made it two convincing wins from two races in the discipline to start the Olympic season.

Racing in sunny but cold conditions in Gurgl, Austria, Shiffrin posted the fastest time in both runs to finish in one minute 48.11 seconds, 1.23 ahead of second-placed Lara Colturi, an Italian prodigy competing for Albania.

The pair also went 1-2 in the first slalom of the season a week ago in Finland, where Shiffrin also led both runs and won by 1.66.

Slalom world champion Camille Rast of Switzerland had a two-run time of 1:49.52, trailing by 1.41 in third, as the podium resembled the one from last year's race in Gurgl.

"I had to push so hard, but it was really nice with the sun on the second run," said Shiffrin, who led Colturi by 0.31 after the opening run.

"It was pretty much how I expected it, not easy, but I knew the others were pushing, so I had no choice. You have to go," the American said.

American Shiffrin captures 66th career slalom race this time in Gurgl

Shiffrin and Colturi now rank 1-2 in both the slalom and overall standings after three events. Shiffrin's teammate Paula Moltzan stood third after she finished Sunday's race in fifth place.

The victory was Shiffrin's 66th World Cup win in slalom and 103rd overall, both records.

Laurence St-Germain was top Canadian, placing 11th of 26 finishers in 1:51.35. The native of St-Ferreol-les-Neiges, Que., was 24th after the first run (57.13) but was third fastest in the second (54.22) behind Shiffrin (53.89) and Austria’s Katharina Truppe (54.05).

Canada's St-Germain finishes 11th at Gurgl World Cup slalom race

Amelia Smart of Invermere, B.C., didn’t crack the top 30 to advance