Mikaela Shiffrin: Swiss skater Camille Rast ends the American star’s winning streak

Rast finished a close second to Shiffrin in the pre-World Cup slalom in Semmering last weekend, but was not denied a second time, ensuring that the World Cup’s greatest female skier cannot add to her record tally of 106 victories in all disciplines.

“I think there’s a lot of energy [was the key]Rast added. “It was a great fight. My energy made the difference – the preparation was perfect.”

Shiffrin, 30, was just 0.1 seconds behind leader Rast after the first run, but set an impressive time in the second to open a 1.69-second lead over the rest of the field.

But Rast went faster, beating Shiffrin into second place by 0.14 seconds.

“I’m thinking of all those families we raced for this weekend,” the Swiss skier said on Saturday, saying her thoughts were with relatives of those who lost their lives in her hometown.

“Sports bring emotions and I hope today I can bring some positive emotions to people.

“It’s really hard to know what it’s like to not be home but it sure is hard and I hope I can put a little smile on some faces today.”

Shiffrin has remained close to her personal best, despite the rare defeat, and will be hoping to return to winning ways in the final two World Cup slalom races before the start of the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina on February 6.

The Women’s World Cup slalom continues in Flachau, Austria, on January 13, with the final event before the Winter Olympics taking place in Spindleruv Mlýn in the Czech Republic on January 25.