Mikaela Shiffrin motivated for next season after 101st win at World Cup in Sun Valley, Zrinka Ljutic bags crystal globe

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Mikaela Shiffrin said her latest World Cup win - the 101st of her career - has given her "good motivation" for next season. The 30-year-old battled on a difficult course in Sun Valley to come out on top, wrapping up the slalom season with another triumph after an injury-hit campaign. "I felt really good," Shiffrin told TNT Sports, as Zrinka Ljutic secured the first crystal globe of her career.

Shiffrin motivated for what lies ahead after finishing grueling season with 101st win

Video credit: TNT Sports

Mikaela Shiffrin recorded the 101st World Cup win of her career as she stepped onto her 157th podium in Sun Valley after an exceptional showing on Thursday.

The American dominated the final slalom of the season, crossing the line 1.13 seconds ahead of Lena Duerr and Andreja Slokar (+1.14s) in second and third respectively.

After what has been a rocky season for the star after she suffered an abdominal injury in Killington back in December, Shiffrin admitted her latest triumph has given her all the motivation for next season.

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"I felt really good," she told TNT Sports.

"It wasn’t easy conditions, but I felt on point with my timing. I could see Lena from the start, and she looked so good and so powerful, I thought ‘no’.

"You can never take it easy. But I feel super happy. It’s nice to finish the season with this performance, in conditions that I don’t normally feel super comfortable in.

"That gives me good motivation for training in the summer period, and for next season.

"Here, they’re cheering and saying, ‘come on Mikaela, now is your time’. It’s so exciting to have a crowd like this in the US that is so supportive of ski racing.

"In the end, that was probably the thing that gave me the little bit of intensity that I needed."

Ljutic takes debut crystal globe

Zrinka Ljutic secured the first crystal globe of her career in the slalom after her closest rivals Camille Rast and Katharina Liensberger finished 14th and fifth respectively.

A 10th-placed finish on Thursday was enough for the Croatian to get her hands on the title, as she finished on 541 points, a comfortable 32 points clear of Liensberger.

Ljutic

Image credit: Getty Images

Ljutic, 21, only recorded her first World Cup win in late December, but has been in ruthless form since and registered two more wins and a second-placed finish.

"I sort of knew I would win it, I just didn’t know how," Ljutic said after the World Cup finals.

Shiffrin secures 101st World Cup win in front of home fans at Sun Valley

Video credit: TNT Sports

"I got it, it’s mine. I didn’t know how [I’d win] and it made me very nervous. It was very difficult mentally. But I am happy I managed to ski and it was enough.

"I thought I really wanted to charge the second run and it was difficult, it wasn’t my best skiing. But I think I was active, and it was enough.

"It wasn’t perfect, but it was a good run and afterwards I was at peace. I did what I could. Then I was just waiting for Kati [Liensberger], to see how she would do."

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