(C) Vail Daily
COPPER MOUNTAIN, USA — New Zealand's Alice Robinson has cemented her place in skiing history, setting a new record for the most FIS Alpine World Cup victories by a skier from a country outside of Europe and North America.
The 23-year-old clinched her fifth career World Cup victory after dominating the Women’s Giant Slalom race at Copper Mountain, Colorado, on Friday. Robinson finished with a combined time of 1 minute 58.91 seconds, outpacing Julia Scheib of Austria by a substantial 0.96 seconds.
Record-Breaking Achievement
With this win, Robinson surpasses her compatriot Claudia Riegler, who previously held the record for non-European/North American skiers with four World Cup wins. Robinson’s five victories have all come in the Giant Slalom discipline, showcasing her specialization and dominance in the event.
Born in Sydney, Australia, in 2001, Robinson is a formidable figure challenging the traditional dominance of the sport by powerhouse nations.
"I'm incredibly proud to represent New Zealand in a sport where European and North American athletes are traditionally very strong," Robinson stated after her victory. "It feels great to stand on the top step and show what we can do."
The skiing world is closely watching Robinson as she targets the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. New Zealand has a decades-long drought in Olympic Alpine Skiing medals, having last won one in 1992 at the Albertville Games—a silver in the Women's Slalom by Annelise Coberger. Robinson is now seen as the nation's best chance to break that 34-year streak.
A Note on the Men's Record
While the men's record for a non-European/North American nation technically belongs to Lucas Pinheiro Braathen of Brazil with six wins, the context is unique. Braathen, born to a Norwegian father and a Brazilian mother, secured five of those victories while competing for Norway. His first and only World Cup win under the Brazilian flag came earlier this month, making Robinson's consistent success for New Zealand a more distinct representation of non-traditional Alpine strength.
In a surprisingly low finish, American star Mikaela Shiffrin finished 14th in the Giant Slalom event with a time of 2:00.99.
Robinson's triumph at Copper Mountain is more than just a victory; it is a significant statement on the diversifying global landscape of Alpine Skiing, positioning New Zealand at the forefront of the sport's emerging competitors.
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