Junior Race Series kicks off on Friday

Shiffrin, Shiffrin, Shiffrin — While we were celebrating the holidays, Mikaela Shiffrin was hard at work. She’s in the midst of an incredible run, which has expanded her overall World Cup points lead to 571.

Shiffrin also leads the Slalom and Downhill races and is second in Giant Slalom. Since our last report she notched World Cup victories numbers 36 (Slalom at Lienz, Austria), 37 (Dual Slalom in Oslo, Norway) and 38 (Slalom in Zagrb, Crotia.

Shiffrin also threw in a bronze Giant Slalom medal in Leinz, Austria. Not only is she winning, but she’s winning by margins reminiscent of Ingemar Stanmark back in the day. To put this all in perspective, The most World Cup victories by either gender belong to Stenmark, who competed for 15 years and garnered 84. Shiffrin’s been at it for 5 years.

The only other U.S. lady in the tech points was Resi Steigler, who placed 25th and 14th in two of these Slaloms.

On the men’s side, Ryan Cochran-Seigle led three men into the top 20 in Alpine Combined at Bormia, Italy. He placed 14, with Jared Goldberg in 15th and Bryce Bennett in 19th.

Junior Race Series kicks off Friday — The series will start this Friday. Athletes and coaches will meet in the Lakeside Lodge at 5 p.m., ready to go. If you haven’t yet registered, it’s too late now.

Northwest Cup Opener — A number of local athletes will be heading to Mount Spokane this weekend for Slalom and Giant Slalom competition. Watch here next week for a full report.

Popourri — Check the Schweitzer website for holiday activities.

Any comments, recommendations or contributions to this column may be sent to Shep Snow by email at shep@thesnowschool.com. Negative feedback should be sent to someone else.