CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy—American Mikaela Shiffrin claimed a record-breaking ninth world championships podium finish by taking gold in the women’s combined on Monday and said winning a medal was a bonus on top of the adrenaline rush alpine skiing generates. The 25-year-old from Vail, Colorado, topped the standings in the combined event after an impeccable two-leg performance which saw her spring from third in the super-G to first place after brushing aside her rivals in the slalom. Shiffrin surpassed compatriot Lindsey Vonn with a ninth overall world championships medal, having racked up her sixth gold and first at this year’s event after taking bronze in Thursday’s super-G. She said winning was the icing on the cake in a sport where several hundredths of a second can make all the difference. “I always try to be on top, not because of the records but because I like to ski fast,” the twice …