Mikaela Shiffrin's astonishing error while leading World championships
The six-time world champ's error left the commentators stunned.
World Champion Mikaela Shiffrin came within three turns of winning another title before she heartbreakingly crashed in astonishing scenes. Shiffrin was set to win another gold medal at the Alpine World Ski Championships, held in France, when the unthinkable happened.
Shiffrin was ahead of Italian Federica Brignone's time as she charged towards the finish looking to bring home top spot. However, with the finish line in sight, Shiffrin lost control, reared up onto one ski and clipped a pole.
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The four-time slalom world champion could only manage to regain her balance as she veered off the course and into title race oblivion. The commentators were left absolutely stunned at the turn of events.
"She has blown it three gates from home," Eurosport commentator Nick Fellows said. "That is such a dramatic moment for Shiffrin."
Eventual gold medallist, Brignone, couldn't believe what she had witnessed as she threw her hands above her head in disbelief. "Shiffrin can't believe it and neither can we," Fellows continued.
"She had done all the work and made all the time. The gold medal was three turns away and she straddles."
Mikaela Shiffrin all class after brutal ending
After the race, Shiffrin was all class and spoke of the need to push herself in the slalom race because of Brignone's talent.
"That's what I did. And of course it didn't work out at the end," Shiffrin said in an interview. "I slipped up a little bit and then you are out, so quick. I am actually disappointed of course, but happy with the skiing."
"She's an amazing athlete!"
Mikaela Shiffrin pays tribute to the new Alpine Combined world champion Federica Brignone 🤝@MikaelaShiffrin | #FISAlpine pic.twitter.com/y9VKyEad91— Eurosport (@eurosport) February 6, 2023
Shiffrin faced a tough task going into the race with Brignone posting a very solid slalom time, not long after she performed well on the super-G. Shiffrin needed to make up 0.96 seconds and had achieved this halfway through the event.
However, only seconds out from the finish line, Shiffrin lost control and lost scope of the gold medal. Shiffrin had entered the world championships in superb form.
The American has won 11 races on the World Cup circuit this season, which includes five slaloms. She won three races in six days a few weeks ago, which saw her overtake Lindsey Vonn for most World Cup wins.
She is now seeking the all-time record, which is held by Ingemar Stenmark and was set in the 1970s and 80s.
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