Mikaela Shiffrin Claims 98th Career World Cup Victory At Levi
American ski star Mikaela Shiffrin made waves as she triumphed at the Women’s World Cup slalom at Levi, Finland, marking her record-extending 98th career victory. The race took place on November 16, 2024, with Shiffrin pulling off a remarkable performance, securing her win by 0.79 seconds over Austria’s Katharina Liensberger.
This victory is particularly significant for Shiffrin as it brings her closer to the coveted milestone of 100 World Cup wins. With two more races scheduled at Killington, Vermont, later this month, the excitement grows around whether she can reach this landmark achievement on home soil.
Shiffrin’s win came as she showed impeccable control and speed on the Levi Black course, which she had famously trained on as a teenager. “It’s just a great start to the slalom season,” Shiffrin expressed to FIS media following her win. It was her solid first run combined with her assertive second run, which allowed her to maintain her lead and clinch victory.
Throughout her competition, Shiffrin displayed unmatched consistency, posting the fastest split times on three of the four sections of the course. This time around, unlike the previous race where she faltered, Shiffrin managed to defend her lead with precision. “I felt strong and solid, and the energy was great,” she remarked, reflecting on her performance and the challenges she faced along the way.
Finishing off the podium was Germany's Lena Duerr, who took third place, trailing Shiffrin by just 0.83 seconds. Duerr, who had previously enjoyed success on the same circuit, noted how significant her performance was, stating, "It’s fun and relieving to be on the podium again. It's a good start for the season!" She added how she relished competing on the famously challenging Levi course.
Joining the top contenders, Paula Moltzan, another American skier, finished eighth, having started the race with promise. She noted the difficulties of handling the steep inclines during her runs but maintained optimism for her upcoming competitions.
Meanwhile, the men’s slalom followed suit the next day, where Olympic champion Clement Noel showcased his prowess by winning his first men’s World Cup slalom of the season. The Frenchman had to battle his own mistakes but managed to stay focused and claimed victory by 0.80 seconds over Norway’s Henrik Kristoffersen.
Kristoffersen’s performance was noteworthy as he climbed from 11th position to finish second, expressing this outcome as “a step in the right direction.” Swiss allrounder Loic Meillard took third place, also making significant strides from opening runs. Sadly, Marcel Hirscher, the celebrated eight-time overall champion who recently made his return to skiing, did not qualify for the second run, which sparked conversations about his future performances.
The Levi World Cup has always held value for Shiffrin, especially since she has now won it multiple times. This year's race proved to be just another testimony to her talent and determination on the slopes. The slalom’s peculiar challenges, including variably rough conditions during the runs, often separate the champions from the contenders. But for Shiffrin, it seems the tougher the conditions, the more she shines.
Looking forward, Shiffrin’s next competition is set to be another slalom race at Gurgl, Austria. She plans to maintain her momentum through the winter season until the World Championships slated for February. With her eyes on the 100th victory now, the ski community is abuzz with anticipation.
“I’m racing every single weekend now, so it’s going to be quite the push,” she concluded, emphasizing her eagerness to continue challenging herself against the fiercest competitors in the sport.
