America’s Olympic slalom champion Mikaela Shiffrin won the women’s World Cup race at Maribor on Sunday to register her 12th victory in only her fourth season of competition.
The 19-year-old, who retained her world title earlier this month, had enough of an advantage from the first leg to ease off in the second run and post just the 12th fastest time.
Slovakian Veronika Zuzulova was second with Czech racer Sarka Strachova, who was second after the first leg, third.
“She (Shiffrin) was unbeatable today,” said Strachova.
Shiffrin took over at the top of the slalom World Cup standings, holding a 30 point lead over Swede Frida Hansdotter with two races remaining.
Slovenian star Tina Maze, who returned from the world championships with two titles to her name, once again failed to reward her thousands of fans who flocked to the slopes as she straddled a gate on the second leg, having been sixth after the first run.
“It just wasn’t my day,” said a visibly disappointed Maze.
“It is such a shame for all the people who were counting on me.”
Maze was equally fretful over the battle for the overall World Cup title.
She emerged pointless from the weekend and with just an 84 point lead over Austria’s defending overall World Cup titleholder Anna Fenninger.
“It is going to be very close,” said Maze.