She is already training on skis and can hope for cancellations: will Shiffrin Gut-Behrami spoil the overall World Cup party?

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It is no longer a question of if, but rather when Lara Gut-Behrami (32) will win the overall World Cup. You hear this statement again and again in the ski circus. There is hardly anyone who doubts that the Ticino native will win the big crystal ball for the second time since 2016.

But is it that clear? The facts: With ten races to go, Gut-Behrami has a 205-point lead over Mikaela Shiffrin (28, USA). The Italian Federica Brignone (33) is third with 286 points behind. Everyone else has no chance.

“The most important thing is to stay healthy,” says Gut-Behrami. The ball would not be awarded now anyway, but only at the World Cup final in Saalbach (Austria). However, what is crucial in the battle for the overall World Cup is not just how Gut-Behrami feels.

It is also about when Shiffrin returns to the World Cup squad after her knee ligament injury. And clearly something is happening! «I know that Mikaela has been free skiing again in Toblach. That went quite well, even though her ski boots apparently got a bit stuck,” says SRF expert Stefan Abplanalp.

Back to Kvitfjell?

Shiffrin’s team announced last week that they are taking it day by day. The aim is to make a comeback in the technical disciplines and that is why the races in Are (Sd) on March 9 and 10 are targeted. If Shiffrin only returns to the Swedish province of Jämtland, her dream of a sixth overall World Cup victory would probably already be history.

But will it happen this way? Abplanalp: “I can well imagine that Mikaela will race sooner. For example, the weekend before in Kvitfjell. In the downhill training she was able to approach the course carefully and participate in the Super-G on Sunday. After all, she has a special bond with this place,” says Abplanalp.

What the former coach of ex-speed queen Lindsey Vonn (39) means is clear: Shiffrin’s friend Aleksander Aamodt Kilde (32) is Norwegian. But that is not everything. The 95-time World Cup winner has fond memories of Kvitfjell. A year ago she was fourth and seventh (super-Gs) and fifth (downhill). “This slope suits you perfectly,” says Abplanalp.

Snowfall could play into Shiffrin’s hands

To surpass Gut-Behrami, Shiffrin may also need Petrus’ help. And maybe she will get it too. Because: The weather forecast for the two Super-G races in Val di Fassa (It) next weekend is anything but rosy. Up to half a meter of snow is expected on Friday – and it doesn’t look good on Saturday and Sunday either.

What if the two races are cancelled? Then Gut-Behrami would not have the chance to move further away. And Shiffrin was able to flirt with the final victory at the World Cup again.

Source : Blick