Mikaela Shiffrin Wins Historic 100th World Cup Race
A Record-Extending Victory
Mikaela Shiffrin is 100% the best in skiing’s World Cup history book. Shiffrin’s record-extending 100th career World Cup race win Sunday fulfilled a quest put on hold by a serious crash in November.
A Comeback Story
Back to racing in her favored slalom event, Shiffrin kept and added to her first-run lead to finish 0.61 seconds ahead of Zrinka Ljutic. Shiffrin’s U.S. teammate Paula Moltzan was third, 0.64 back.
A Historical Milestone
The 29-year-old Shiffrin also tied an all-time World Cup record for men and women, as her 155th career top-3 finish on the podium matched Swedish great Ingemar Stenmark.
A Emotional Reaction
Shiffrin crossed the finish line and took a long look at the scoreboard showing her victory. She then looked again over her left shoulder with an expression of amazement. She lay down on the snow with her right hand to her helmet, and was helped to her feet by Moltzan who hugged her.
Reflections on the Journey
Shiffrin cried at first when she was asked in a post-race interview what it meant after all she had been through in the past few months. “Everyone had been so nice and so supportive. I am so grateful, thank you,” she said.
A Long Road to Recovery
Shiffrin’s 99th win was earned exactly three months ago in a slalom at Gurgl, Austria. No. 100 had been within clear sight one week later when Shiffrin crashed out of a giant slalom at Killington, Vermont, while racing fast as the first-run leader. The injuries she suffered in a tumbling fall – severe trauma to her oblique muscles and a deep puncture wound – sidelined her for several weeks and left “PTSD-like” anxiety about racing giant slalom.
Overcoming Adversity
In two giant slaloms at Sestriere, she placed 25th Friday and on Saturday finished outside the top-30 fastest racers in the first run for the first time since 2012. Shiffrin showed no sign of nerves with an aggressive second run to victory, a full half-second faster than Ljutic who is a three-time winner this season in World Cup slaloms.
A Teary Tribute
“A lot of things had to go right in my direction for this to happen. But I did something right, too,” a tearful Shiffrin said.
A New Chapter
Shiffrin and Stenmark are the two greatest record setters in the World Cup’s 58-year history. “She’s much better than I was. You cannot compare,” Stenmark said in an interview with The Associated Press two years ago. His record of 86 World Cup wins was broken by Shiffrin in March 2023, almost 34 years after his last win. Stenmark’s 86th win – a giant slalom at Aspen, Colorado in February 1989 – also was his 155th and last podium result.
Conclusion
Mikaela Shiffrin’s record-extending 100th World Cup win is a testament to her determination and perseverance. From her 99th win to her 100th, Shiffrin has consistently demonstrated her ability to overcome adversity and push herself to new heights.
FAQs
* What is Mikaela Shiffrin’s record-extending 100th World Cup win?
+ Shiffrin’s record-extending 100th World Cup win is a testament to her dominance in the sport, making her the most successful skiier in World Cup history.
* How did Shiffrin achieve this milestone?
+ Shiffrin achieved this milestone by winning her 100th World Cup race, tying an all-time record for men and women, and surpassing Swedish great Ingemar Stenmark’s record of 86 World Cup wins.
* What challenges did Shiffrin face to achieve this milestone?
+ Shiffrin faced several challenges, including a serious crash in November that forced her to miss several weeks of racing, and “PTSD-like” anxiety about racing giant slalom.
