Mikaela Shiffrin Wins Gold in Slalom - East Idaho News
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Mikaela Shiffrin Wins Gold in Slalom

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Getty S 022214 Mikaela%20Shiffrin?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1393050408421Olivier Morin/AFP/Getty Images(KRASNAYA POLYANA, Russia) — American teenager Mikaela Shiffrin made alpine skiing history Friday, becoming the youngest ever winner of an Olympic slalom gold medal.

The 18-year-old Shriffin showed a combination of balance and agility on the course.  Midway through her second run, she somehow managed to correct herself in mid-air and land her skis back between the gates.

“Today was one of the most special days of my life,” said Shiffrin.

Shiffin lost some time with her mid-run acrobatics, but won in a two-leg combined time of 1 minute, 44.54 seconds.  She finished 0.53 seconds faster than Austria’s Marlies Schild, who took Silver.

“The dream died in the first run,” said Schild, who had been only sixth-fastest. “I won the silver medal in the second run and that’s great.”

Kathrin Zettel of Austria earned bronze, finishing with a total time of 1:45.35.

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