BEIJING (AP) — Mikaela Shiffrin will have to rebound quickly. Her next chance at a medal is the slalom, but that’s a top event for rival Petra Vlhova. The showdown between those two Alpine skiing stars highlights Day 4 of the Beijing Games, which also includes qualifying runs for Shaun White and Chloe Kim, the start of snowboardcross coverage and the first curling medals of these Olympics. Here are some things to watch. Slalom showdown Shiffrin won the slalom at the 2014 Games and is a four-time world champion in the event. Vlhova, however, has a big lead in the World Cup slalom standings this season, after Shiffrin was slowed by contracting COVID-19. A bad turn in the giant slalom on Monday knocked the American star out of that event on the opening run. Vlhova, of Slovakia, finished 14th. “Something was missing, and I was a bit in trouble with the conditions,” Vlhova said. “I tried to do my best, but it was not enough.” NBC plans to show the women’s slalom live as part of its prime-time and late-night coverage tonight. Snowboard stars Shiffrin’s rough start was a downer for the U.S., but now it’s time for a couple other American standouts to begin competing. Shaun White, the three-time gold medalist who said recently the Beijing Games would be his last competition, begins qualifying for the halfpipe. So does Chloe Kim, who, like White is a defending champion in that event. “I really want to finish my career strong on my own terms and put down some solid runs,” White said. “If I could do that, I’ll be very happy.” The chaotic, high-flying snowboardcross also begins with the women’s competition. Lindsey Jacobellis, who missed out on gold in 2006 when she fell after grabbing her board in premature celebration, is still chasing an Olympic title. Curling The mixed doubles competition wraps up when Italy faces Norway for the gold medal. CNBC will show the bronze medal game between Sweden and Britain at 5 p.m. and the gold medal game at 8. Amos Mosaner and Stefania Constantini have already clinched Italy’s first-ever Olympic curling medal by reaching the final.
BEIJING (AP) — Mikaela Shiffrin will have to rebound quickly. Her next chance at a medal is the slalom, but that’s a top event for rival Petra Vlhova.
