Mikaela Shiffrin made history on Sunday by claiming her 100th Alpine skiing World Cup victory at the slalom event in the Italian resort of Sestriere. The 29-year-old American skier finished 0.61 seconds faster than Croatia’s Zrinka Ljutic, marking her as the first skier, male or female, to reach the historic milestone of triple-digit wins.
This remarkable win adds to Shiffrin's already impressive resume, which includes two Olympic gold medals and seven World Championship titles. Emphasizing the significance of her achievement, Shiffrin remarked, "Today, a lot of things had to go right for me, and wrong for others. But in the end, I did something right." Her victory is not just for herself, but for the sport of skiing, which she aims to expand by empowering the next generation of skiers.
To understand the enormity of Shiffrin's victory, one must also recognize her challenging road to 100 wins. She faced significant setbacks after crashing during the giant slalom race last November at Killington, Vermont, where she was leading the competition. The crash led to severe injuries, including a puncture wound and muscle damage around her abdomen, forcing her to take two months off from competitive skiing.
Returning to action at the end of January 2025, Shiffrin showed tenacity as she bounced back from her injuries. Her emotional comeback included performances at the World Championships, where she sought to reclaim her competitive edge. Prior to her 100th win, she struggled to find her rhythm, finishing 25th and 33rd in consecutive giant slalom races leading up to the slalom event at Sestriere.
On the day of her historic victory, Shiffrin had previously topped the times during the first slalom run, holding only a slim 0.09 second lead over her competitors. Despite the pressure, she maintained her poise and executed two stellar runs, completing her goal of reaching the monumental milestone. "I'm so grateful," Shiffrin expressed after her win, thanking her teammates and fellow competitors for their support. "I could hear everybody cheering from the start, and thought, ‘Okay, it’s like a day of training.’”
The World Cup victory list is exclusive, with only three other skiers having reached the century mark: Amelie Wenger-Reymond, Marit Bjørgen, and Conny Kissling. Shiffrin, known for her incredible prowess on the slopes, holds the record for the most World Cup wins among both male and female athletes, surpassing the legendary Swede, Ingmar Stenmark, who dominated the sport before her.
Shiffrin’s impact reaches beyond just the racecourse; she has dedicated herself to making skiing more accessible to young people across the United States through her role as ambassador for the Share Winter Foundation. Following her milestone victory, she announced plans to raise $100,000 for learn-to-ski and snowboard programs targeted at youth who lack access to winter sports. “Helping Share Winter bring more kids to the mountain is really meaningful,” she expressed, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and diversity within the winter sports community.
This philanthropic angle starkly highlights Shiffrin’s character and commitment to elevatory others through her hard-earned success. Her actions tell us she sees her achievements as not merely personal victories but as openings for many. “I see this milestone as an opportunity to bring more people to the sport,” she stated, underscoring her dedication to future skiers.
While Shiffrin may have reached her 100th win, her ambitions do not stop there. She expresses her hope for continued success and reaching even greater heights within her sport. The ski world eagerly anticipates her next moves, as the Alpine skiing World Cup circuit continues with upcoming events slated for Kvitfjell, Norway.
Mikaela Shiffrin has achieved something few athletes can dream of, and her legacy is already cemented as one of the sport's greats. The road to 100 wins has showcased the resilience, talent, and determination of this extraordinary athlete. It’s not solely about the victories, but also how she uplifted others along the way, marking her career with purposeful intentions and meaningful contributions to the sport she loves.