Shiffrin one win behind Vonn
Mikaela Shiffrin felt “really excited” Wednesday after winning the first women’s World Cup race of 2023.
And it wasn’t because she had just moved within one victory of Lindsey Vonn’s record.
“I skied better than I probably ever have,” Shiffrin said.
The defending overall champion dealt best with difficult course conditions in Zagreb, Croatia, to dominate a floodlit slalom and raise her career tally to 81 World Cup wins. She could match the best mark Thursday at another slalom on the same course.
American standout Vonn set the women’s record of 82 before retiring in 2019. The overall best mark is 86, from Swedish great Ingemar Stenmark.
“I’m happy, I’m incredibly happy. I mean, I had so much fun skiing today and it was really my best skiing both runs today,” said Shiffrin, who beat runnerup Petra Vlhová by 0.76 seconds, with the rest of the field finishing more than 1.20 off the pace.
The former overall champion of Slovakia had won the race on the outskirts of the Croatian capital the past three seasons. Vlhová’s rise to the top has motivated Shiffrin.
NFL
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray said he had “successful” knee surgery to repair an ACL injury that he suffered against the New England Patriots on Dec. 12.
The 25-year-old Murray posted a picture of himself laying in a hospital bed with the message: “ACL surgery was successful, thank you for all the love and prayers. I appreciate the support and positivity more than I can express, I’ll be back.”
Murray was injured on the team’s first offensive drive in the 27-13 loss to the Patriots. The two-time Pro Bowl selection was flushed out of the pocket and running to his right when he tried to juke past a Patriots defender, but tumbled to the grass in pain.
Bears’ Fields to miss finale: Justin Fields won’t get a chance to break the single-season rushing record for an NFL quarterback.
Fields will miss the season finale against the Minnesota Vikings because of a strained hip.
Fields finishes his second season with 1,143 yards rushing, 63 shy of the record of 1,206 set by Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson in 2019 during his MVP season.
Commanders to start rookie QB: Sam Howell is expected to start at quarterback for the Washington Commanders in their season finale against the Dallas Cowboys.
Coach Ron Rivera confirmed Wednesday he opted to go with Howell after initially considering giving Taylor Heinicke the nod.
MLB
Rafael Devers has agreed to an 11-year extension worth $331 million with the Boston Red Sox, a person with knowledge of the agreement told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
Locking up Devers, a two-time all-star third baseman, was an important move for the Red Sox and their uneasy fans after all-star shortstop Xander Bogaerts, slugger J.D. Martinez and pitcher Nathan Eovaldi departed in free agency.
Phillies add bullpen depth: The Philadelphia Phillies signed reliever Craig Kimbrel to a one-year contract, hoping the onetime elite closer can become a quality arm out of the bullpen.
An eight-time all-star, Kimbrel had 22 saves in 27 chances last season with the Dodgers. Kimbrel appeared in 63 games for the Dodgers and posted a 3.75 ERA.
SOCCER
Anthony Hudson will coach the United States men’s soccer team rather than Gregg Berhalter ahead of the first two matches of the cycle leading to the 2026 World Cup.
The U.S. Soccer Federation announced Tuesday it was investigating Berhalter for a 1991 domestic violence incident involving the woman who became his wife.
Hudson will lead the team ahead of exhibitions against Serbia on Jan. 25 at Los Angeles and Colombia three days later at Carson, California, USSF sporting director Earnie Stewart said Wednesday.
TENNIS
Frances Tiafoe beat Britain’s Daniel Evans, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 on Wednesday to move the United States into the United Cup mixed teams tournament semifinals.
Tiafoe’s victory gave the Americans an unbeatable 3-1 lead in the best-of-five Sydney City Final.
The U.S. was joined by Italy, Poland and Greece in the semifinals in Sydney.