Mikaela Shiffrin has made history by securing the World Cup slalom title with two races remaining in the season. Competing at Spindleruv Mlyn in the Czech Republic on Sunday, she became the first skier to achieve nine season titles in a single discipline. Shiffrin dominated the final slalom before the Olympic Games, winning both runs and finishing with a time that outpaced runner-up Camille Rast by 1.67 seconds.
The race showcased Shiffrin’s exceptional skill, as the rest of the field, led by Germany’s Emma Aicher, trailed by more than two seconds. This venue is particularly significant for Shiffrin, marking the site of her World Cup debut at age 15 in March 2011.
A Historic Achievement
Shiffrin’s victory is a remarkable milestone, as no other skier, male or female, has achieved more than eight globes in the history of the World Cup, which spans over six decades. She previously shared the record with American teammate Lindsey Vonn, who has eight downhill titles and continues to lead that category this season. In the men’s division, Ingemar Stenmark and Marcel Hirscher also won the slalom globe and overall title eight times each.
Reflecting on her achievement, Shiffrin expressed her excitement during a courseside interview: “It just feels amazing to be here. I feel like when I was 15 years old still, like, I don’t know, just love skiing. I just love skiing. That’s the best feeling to be here.” Her words captured the joy and passion that have driven her career.
Record-Breaking Wins
Shiffrin first won the slalom globe at the age of 18 in March 2013, and her most recent title came two years ago. Last season, she led the standings but faced setbacks, including a two-month absence due to a giant slalom crash. This season, she has reclaimed her dominance with seven wins in eight slalom races, establishing a commanding 288-point lead over Rast in the season standings. With two more slalom races scheduled after the Olympics, a win is worth 100 points.
Rast claimed victory in the only slalom that Shiffrin did not win this season, which took place in Slovenia three weeks ago. Shiffrin’s recent success followed her achievement of earning her first giant slalom podium in two years, further solidifying her status as a leading figure in alpine skiing.
With her record of 71 career race wins in slalom and a total of 108 overall victories, Shiffrin continues to set the standard in the sport, showcasing her extraordinary talent and resilience as she heads into the Olympic Games.
