Shiffrin atop overall WC standings

BANSKO, Bulgaria: American Mikaela Shiffrin consolidated her spot atop the overall World Cup standings by demonstrating her all-round skiing ability with victory in Friday’s downhill in Bansko.

Shiffrin, a technical specialist who has proven increasingly adept at the speed events, clocked 1min 29.79sec down the 2.4km-long course in perfect, cold but sunny conditions at the Bulgarian resort.

Hitting speeds of 109km/h (68mph), the American negotiated the track with ease as a raft of later starters struggled down.

“I’m really excited about how I skied,” said Shiffrin.

The win was the 65th on the World Cup circuit for the 24-year-old, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and current three-time reigning overall World Cup champion who stands second behind now-retired compatriot Lindsey Vonn for number of races won.

The victory in Bansko was Shiffrin’s first in the downhill since triumphing in Lake Louise in December 2017. It was also her fifth victory of the season after slalom wins in Levi, Killington and Lienz, where she also won the giant slalom.