Vlhova first Slovakian to win a small globe in FIS World Cup after premature end of season

BRATISLAVA -- For the first time in history, a Slovakian racer has lifted a small globe in the FIS World Cup after the ruling body decided to cancel the final World Cup due to coronavirus concerns.

After her best season, Petra Vlhova placed first in slalom with a 20-point lead over Mikaela Shiffrin who missed out on the end of the season following her father's tragic death in February.

The 24-year-old Slovakian also finished first in parallel slalom, edging out Clara Direz of France by 13 points.

Due to the coronavirus outbreak in Europe, the International Ski Federation decided to cancel the final World Cup event to be held this upcoming weekend in the Swedish town of Are with parallel slalom, giant slalom, and slalom on the schedule.

The organizers of the event came to this conclusion after studying Sweden's Public Health Agency's recommendation and as a result, the winners of the season have been announced.

The overall triumph and thus the big crystal globe goes to the Italian Federica Brignone for the first time in her career, together with two smaller globes for finishing first in the Giant Slalom and Combined disciplines.

In her best season yet, Brignone managed to place second in Super G and third in Downhill.

Vlhova earned the third place in the overall standings behind Brignone and Shiffrin.

"It is a strange feeling but I am the happiest person in the world right now for achieving something I have always wanted," said Vlhova, winner of this season's five WC events shortly after the announcement.