The US standouts had a combined time of 2:14.42. His racing was clean but not fast enough to challenge for a podium finish. After his second race he showed no outward signs of disappointment, puffing out his cheeks and waving with both hands to the fans in the grandstand.
A 30-year-old who is one of the most winning athletes on the World Cup circuit has now failed to win a medal in eight consecutive Olympic events since the 2018 Winter Games in Pyeongchang.
Italy’s Federica Brignone won the top prize, her second gold medal at these Games and her fifth overall. Notably, it was a split silver medal after Sweden’s Sara Hector and Norway’s Thea Stjernsund posted the same time in both the first and second runs.
As Brignone crossed the finish line to loud cheers from the home crowd, Hector and Stjernsund ran into the finish area, bowing to the champion amid chants of “Fede” from the fans.
“That was the biggest show of GS skiing we’ve had in a really long time,” Shiffrin said. “And to do it, you know, at the Olympics, where people’s eyes are really on the sport. Federica had incredible skiing. It was great to see.”
Salvation for Shiffrin, who came in fourth with teammate Breezy Johnson in the women’s team combined event on Thursday, may come in her best event—the slalom—on Wednesday.
