Anger about comments

Shiffrin: “Lara deserves it a thousand percent”

Lara Gut-Behrami (left) absolutely deserved to win the big globe, emphasizes Mikaela Shiffrin.(Bild: APA/AFP/TT News Agency/Pontus LUNDAHL, GEPA)

Mikaela Shiffrin has praised her rival Lara Gut-Behrami to the skies. The Swiss skier, who is on the verge of winning the overall World Cup, absolutely deserves this title. Shiffrin hopes that no one will attribute this triumph solely to her injury. 

"I really hope that nobody will say that Lara only won the big globe because of my absence," Shiffrin emphasized to "Blick". This was the US American's response to numerous online comments stating that Gut-Behrami was only able to triumph because of her injury.

Although the Swiss has not yet officially won the overall World Cup, it is clear that it is only a matter of time with a 282-point lead over Federica Brignone. With eight victories and eight further podium places, Gut-Behrami has made a big impression this winter.

Shiffrin wins on her comeback
"Lara is having an incredible season, her skiing is sensational. Lara deserves a thousand percent to be where she is now," says Shiffrin confidently. Before her injury in Cortina, the US American was 420 points ahead of the 32-year-old. But the Swiss skier made the most of her opportunity and is now 350 points ahead of the soon-to-be 29-year-old. 

"We don't know what would have happened if I hadn't been injured. Maybe Lara would have won. I think Lara has once again raised the level of our sport to a new level this winter," says Shiffrin, praising her rival. However, the US American, who crowned her comeback with a slalom victory on Sunday, said that taking a break was definitely tough.