Shiffrin Wins Record Ninth Slalom World Cup Title

SPINDLERUV MLYN, Czech Republic — American skier Mikaela Shiffrin clinched her record ninth World Cup slalom season title on Sunday with a dominant victory in the final race before the Milano Cortina Olympics, becoming the first athlete in the competition's six-decade history to win nine globes in a single discipline.

Shiffrin, 30, completed both runs on the Cerna Svaty Petr course to finish 1.67 seconds ahead of Switzerland's Camille Rast, the reigning world champion. Germany's Emma Aicher placed third, more than two seconds behind the winner. The triumph marked Shiffrin's seventh win in eight slalom races this season, giving her an insurmountable 288-point lead in the standings with two events remaining after the Olympics. A victory is worth 100 points, ensuring her title even if she skips the final races.

The venue held special meaning for Shiffrin, site of her World Cup debut at age 15 in March 2011. "It just feels amazing to be here," she said after the race. "I feel like when I was 15 years old still, like, I don't know, just love skiing. I just love skiing. That's the best feeling to be here." She added that securing the globe was not her focus during the demanding...