Ski racer Lena Dürr achieved her next slalom podium about a week before the start of the World Championships.

At the 85th World Cup victory of the exceptional American athlete Mikaela Shiffrin in the Czech town of Spindlermühle, the Upper Bavarian took second place and once again confirmed her medal ambitions for the highlight of the season in France, which begins on February 6th. The gap to Shiffrin was 0.60 seconds. Third place went to Wendy Holdener from Switzerland (1.31).

Strong runs from Dürr

Dürr conjured up two spirited runs in the snow in the Czech mountains and – unlike before – attacked in the second round as well. “It wasn’t quite clean here and there, but I’m satisfied today,” said the technology specialist on ZDF. “For the very front, everything really has to fit. Mikaela can always go one better.”

At the place where Shiffrin celebrated her World Cup debut twelve years ago, the 27-year-old celebrated her eleventh success of the season. The all-rounder is only one win away from Ingemar Stenmark’s all-time record for the most World Cup victories. If Shiffrin also wins the second slalom, she can draw level with the Swedish alpine legend on Sunday.

Although it was not enough for Dürr to win the first slalom of his career, the 31-year-old once again confirmed her outstanding form. Teenager Emma Aicher also finished in the points in 28th place. Jessica Hilzinger and Andrea Filser could not qualify for the final round of the top 30.