Shiffrin slides out 3 gates from finish: Lara Gut wins GS in Aspen

The feeling of victory was so close she could taste it. USA's Mikaela Shiffrin faltered slightly with three gates to remaining which resulted in her DNF in the GS at the Aspen Winternational.  Shiffrin, in first place after the first run and was building on her advantage and skiing with poise and confidence. In what I can only imagine was a minor drop in concentration for the champion, she slid out with only 3 gates remaining. Shiffrin's digger opened the door for Swiss hottie Lara Gut to take the gold medal. Last years winner, Eva Marie Brem from Austria finished 2nd and Italian race Frederica Brignone placed 3rd.    

It was a great day of racing in Aspen. A snowy and beautiful day on Aspen Mountain. The home-town crowd that was pulling heavily for Mikaela Shiffrin was visibly an audibly heartbroken.  AspenSpin had a chance to speak briefly with Shiffrin after the race and while she was supremely disappointed her mental toughness was evident. It appeared as she was already moving forward from the race that got away. Described by U.S. Coach Paul Kristofic as "a tough cookie" Shiffrin will be favored in todays slalom.  

1) Gut / Sui 2) Brem Aut 3) Brignone Ita. Aspen World Cup Giant Slalom. photo: AspenSpin