Mikaela Shiffrin has done it again! The American alpine ski racer earned her record-extending 98th career World Cup victory on Saturday, November 16, at the Levi Black course, marking her eighth triumph at this renowned resort located close to the Arctic Circle. It was her first slalom event of the 2024/25 FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup season, and what a remarkable way to kick it off!
The day was anything but ordinary, featuring difficult weather conditions with fog, light rain, and even periods of thick snow. Despite this, the two-time Olympic champion showcased her incredible skills and dominated the first heat, entering the second run with a substantial lead of six-tenths of a second over her closest competitor.
Shiffrin's powerful performance was complemented by her fierce determination, as she converted her first-run advantage to claim victory by nearly eight-tenths of a second, finishing with a combined time of 1:47.20. Austria's Katharina Liensberger came close, finishing second at +0.79 seconds, and Germany's Lena Duerr snatched third place with +0.83 seconds.
This latest achievement not only reaffirmed Shiffrin’s reign over the slalom discipline—in which she has won 61 World Cup races—but also solidified her status as the greatest skier of all time. Impressively, this victory also added another reindeer to her growing collection; winners of this event traditionally receive the prized animal, which Shiffrin jokingly forgot about during her post-race interview.
Speaking about her latest adventure, Shiffrin said, “It was amazing to start the slalom season this way. I’m super happy.” Reflecting on her run, she admitted to some challenges, stating, "It was little bumpy at times, and I was getting twisted, but I kept fighting.”
The performance also served as emotional motivation for Shiffrin, who has been contemplating her mental game since recent races. After struggling during the opening giant slalom, where she finished fifth, she approached this slalom race with renewed determination. “I was happy with how I managed my mentality,” she said, emphasizing her push to perform well.
With Liensberger having previously battled through her own challenges, the event was not merely another run; it symbolized resilience and tenacity among these elite athletes. Shiffrin’s teammate, Paula Moltzan, also emerged strongly, securing eighth place—a commendable finish for the skier who had recorded personal bests earlier at Levi.
Moltzan remarked, “I never had a successful race here before, but to end up in the top ten feels like a very big step forward.” Indeed, their camaraderie and competitive spirit embody the essence of the sport.
The competition was fierce, with several skiers aiming for the top spots. Emma Aicher, initially slow out of the blocks, stormed up from 22nd place after Run 1 to maintain momentum through the second heat. She managed her speed and advanced to the top ten by the end of the day. Other strong contenders included Zrinka Ljutic from Croatia and Melanie Meillard from Switzerland, who both fought valiantly but couldn't crack the podium.
There's no time to rest for Shiffrin, as she sets her goal on achieving win number 99 next week at the Gurgl slalom event in Austria. Following this, she looks forward to her races at Killington, Vermont, where she could potentially celebrate her milestone 100th victory on home turf. Shiffrin expressed her enthusiasm, indicating, “It’s going to be a big push now; I’ll be racing every single weekend until the world championships [in February].”
Through all the challenges, Shiffrin continues to shine brightly, turning obstacles around her, from knee surgeries to fluctuated weather, to personal doubts, all upside down to her advantage. Her unwavering spirit inspires not just her team but also fans worldwide, proving once again why she remains at the pinnacle of alpine skiing.
Looking toward the future, both Shiffrin and her fans are excited about what's to come. With the World Cup season now underway, more thrilling races are on the horizon, promising to capture audiences and showcase the fortitude of these athletes. Shiffrin's victory yesterday only adds fuel to the fire, raising the stakes for the competitions yet to come.
