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Wednesday 16 January 2019

HARDCORE

United States' Mikaela Shif-
frin celebrates on the podium
after winning an alpine ski,
women's World Cup giant sla-
lom, in Kronplatz, Italy, Tues-
day, Jan. 15, 2019.
Mikaela Shiffrin

finally conquers
elusive Kronplatz

giant slalom

SAN VIGILIO DI MAREBBE,
Italy (AP) — Mikaela Shif-
frin had this race specially
marked on her calendar.
There are few courses the
American skier has not
been able to conquer in
her record-breaking ca-
reer. Yet a victory — or
even a podium finish — had
eluded her on the steep
Erta slope at the Kronplatz
resort. So she came to San
Vigilio over the Christmas
holiday and did some free
skiing on the Erta. The at-
tention to detail paid off.
She won the World Cup gi-
ant slalom here on Tuesday
and banished poor memo-
ries. "There's not too many
races where I had such a
struggle as here. And when
I come to a race like this I
have to overcome that
as well. It's a little bit more
doubt," Shiffrin said. "Today
I was thinking, 'The course
looks amazing and I have
no idea how I can do but I Harden's 57 points lead
know what I should do. So
I'm going to try that and
see.' But that's also a differ- Rockets over Grizzlies
ent kind of challenge, and
when I can overcome that
kind of challenge it's also a Houston Rockets' James Harden, center, goes up for a shot against the Memphis Grizzlies during the second half of an NBA basket-
really good learning expe- ball game Monday, Jan. 14, 2019, in Houston. The Rockets won 112-94.
rience." Associated Press
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