'It's crazy to be back' - Mikaela Shiffrin claims first win after her father's death at Courchevel

ByDan Quarrell

Updated 14/12/2020 at 16:14 GMT

Mikaela Shiffrin was very emotional as she claimed her first victory since the February 2 passing of her father. The American earned her 67th World Cup victory - tying for third on the all-time list - taking the giant slalom win in Courchevel, France, on Monday. She prevailed by .82 of a second over Italian Federica Brignone.

Mikaela Shiffrin struggled to contain her emotions as she claimed her first triumph since the death of her father in the giant slalom in Courchevel.

The American took the victory by .82 of a second over Italy's Federica Brignone over the course of the two runs, with France’s Tessa Worley in third.

Since returning to racing last month following a pre-season dominated by a back injury, Shiffrin has finished second, fifth and fourth in her previous three starts, but this time topped the timesheet.

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Shiffrin dropped to her knees before trying to discuss how she was feeling in a very emotional post-race interview.

'A masterclass' - Shiffrin claims her first victory after her father's death

"It’s pretty hard to explain,” she said after receiving a hug from her mother, Eileen.

It’s really, like, 95 percent of me thought that I couldn’t do it, and then just this small bit of me at the right time. It’s crazy to be back here.

Mikaela Shiffrin of USA takes 1st place, Tessa Worley of France takes 3rd place during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Giant Slalom

Image credit: Getty Images

"I was trying to be really aggressive and not hold back. I mean, it’s still a work in progress.

"There’s still some pieces where my brain is like, I don’t know, going somewhere away from the course for a second, and then I have to come back. It takes a lot of energy to keep my focus."

'It's crazy' - Very emotional Shiffrin reflects on first win after father's death

Shiffrin, who drew level with Austrian Marcel Hirscher's tally of 67 World Cup wins, is now only behind Ingemar Stenmark (86) and Lindsey Vonn (82).

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