UPDATE: Mikaela Shiffrin has just achieved her 104th World Cup victory, thrilling a crowd of 11,000 fans at Copper Mountain on November 30, 2025. Despite battling jet lag and fatigue, Shiffrin delivered an outstanding performance in the slalom, finishing with the fastest times in both runs and winning by an impressive 1.23 seconds.
The atmosphere at Copper Mountain was electric as Shiffrin, a Colorado native, expressed her gratitude for the overwhelming support. “The crowd completely carried me down the hill,” she said, emphasizing how their cheers pushed her to excel. Just one day after a demanding giant slalom race, she faced the challenge head-on, comparing it to a grueling workout that required total commitment.
Shiffrin’s journey has been remarkable. At just 30 years old, she holds records for World Cup wins and slalom victories, with 67 slalom wins, seven world championship gold medals, and three Olympic medals to her name. Her mother and coach, Eileen, reflected on her relentless motivation, stating, “She’s just conditioned to go out and ski the best she can possibly ski.”
Reflecting on her career, Shiffrin recalled her breakthrough at the age of 17 as the world slalom champion and her historic Olympic win at 18 in Sochi. Despite numerous accolades, she remains focused on the process rather than results. “I am so obsessed with the feeling I get between the start and the finish when it’s good,” Shiffrin explained.
As she prepares for the upcoming women’s Olympic giant slalom on February 15, Shiffrin acknowledges the need for improvement in her giant slalom performance. “It’s going to take time,” she noted, after finishing fourth in the season’s first GS in Soelden, Austria, and 14th in the recent race at Copper Mountain.
Last year’s World Cup weekend was marred by a severe injury that sidelined her for two months. “We’re walking away from the U.S weekend, and I do not have a puncture wound,” she joked, thanking her lucky stars for a healthier outcome this time around.
With this latest win, Shiffrin has officially qualified for her fourth Olympic Games. “When I can say I’ve qualified, that’s a huge step, and we have to celebrate those moments,” she remarked, solidifying her status among the elite in skiing.
As excitement builds for the Olympic season, Shiffrin’s commitment to her sport and her unwavering drive to excel keep her at the forefront of alpine skiing. Fans around the world are eager to see what she will accomplish next.
