SPINDLERUV MLYN, Czech Republic — Mikaela Shiffrin closed in on her first women’s World Cup giant slalom trophy Friday after placing third in the penultimate race of the season, which was won by world champion Petra Vlhova.
Shiffrin leads her Slovakian rival by 97 points in the discipline standings with only one event remaining at next week’s World Cup Finals in Soldeu, Andorra. A race win is worth 100 points.
“I think there is still something possible at the finals so I won’t celebrate yet. But I am really happy to have this kind of advantage,” said Shiffrin, who has already successfully defended her overall and slalom titles.